Pyrolysis oils are fossil oils, biofuels and petrochemical products.
Pyrolysis oils are produced by the thermal decomposition of organic matter in an inert atmosphere or vacuum.
This oil is widely used as an industrial fuel to replace heating oil or industrial diesel. Typical industrial applications for pyrolysis oil as a fuel are in machinery using fuel that does not require high quality fuel oil.
Here are some commonly used methods for analysing pyrolysed oils depending on your needs and target:
- Gas chromatography (GPC): GPC is a commonly used analytical technique for the analysis of pyrolysed oils. It is used to separate and identify the components of the oil according to their molecular weight and polarity.
- Mass spectrometry (MS): MS is often used in conjunction with GC to accurately identify the components present in pyrolysed oils. MS allows the mass spectrum of each component to be measured and identified using a library of mass spectra.
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): FTIR is a rapid technique for identifying the functional groups (hydrocarbons, fillers, etc.) present in pyrolysed oils. This technique uses infrared light to induce specific molecular vibrations which are detected and analysed.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): NMR is a technique used to analyse the molecular structure of components present in pyrolysed oils. This technique uses a magnetic field to align the atomic nuclei in the molecules, then measures the relaxation signals from these nuclei to determine the molecular structure.
- Analysis by XRF spectroscopy: this basic technique can be used for initial screening to identify heavy metals and halogenated products.
- ICP/MS and FIMS analysis: these basic techniques can be used to detect traces of heavy metals, in particular mercury.
In summary, pyrolysed oils can be analysed using several analytical techniques, including GC, MS, FTIR and NMR. These techniques can be used to identify and characterise the components of pyrolysed oils according to their molecular weight, polarity, molecular structure and functional groups.