Pyrolysis of pre-treated tannins obtained from radiata pine bark

Abstract Water soluble and insoluble fractions of tannins obtained from radiata pine bark were pyrolyzed at the bench-scale in a continuous entrained flow pyrolysis reactor at 500 °C. The tannin fractions were pre-treated with both calcium hydroxide and calcium formate to assist in continuous feeding and promote deoxygenation during pyrolysis. Oil yields and qualitative GC–MS were used to characterize the oil products. Pre-treatment assisted in continuous feeding, ameliorating some issues associated with the thermoplastic properties of tannins. A comparison of the pyrolysis of tannins with and without pretreatment is presented.