Catalytic pyrolysis of three industrial fungal biomass to enhance syngas production

초록

Industrial fungal biomass, generated as a byproduct during the production of various chemicals, was valorised via pyrolysis for energy recovery and the production of value-added materials. The resulting bio-oil composition distinctly varied among the fungal genera (Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Penicillium). Aspergillus-derived bio-oil contained high amounts of sugar-alcohol-derived chemicals, whereas fatty acid-derived chemicals were more prevalent in Trichoderma- and Penicillium-derived bio-oils. The heterogeneity of fungal biomass-derived bio-oils limits their use in industrial applications owing to standardisations, processing, and product consistency issues. We thus performed catalytic pyrolysis using a nickel-based catalyst to promote syngas production over heterogeneous bio-oils. More than ten times as much syngas was generated from the catalytic pyrolysis than from noncatalytic pyrolysis. The H2:CO ratio of the syngas was 2:1 regardless of the fungal species, facilitating application into industrial processes. The results of mass balance analysis showed that 31.2, 33.3, and 34.7 wt% of syngas was generated from the catalytic pyrolysis of Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Penicillium, respectively. Catalytic pyrolysis is an effective strategy for recovering energy from industrial fungal biomass, regardless of the species, and can contribute to the sustainable management of fungal biomass waste.

키워드