Production of hydrogen and medium btu gas via pyrolysis of a Kraft lignin in a fixed-bed reactor

Lignins are generally used as a low grade fuel in the pulp and paper industry. In this work, pyrolysis of a Kraft lignin obtained from Westvaco was carried out in a fixed-bed reactor to produce hydrogen and gas with medium heating value. The effects of carrier gas (helium) flow rate (13.4-33 ml/min/g lignin), heating rate (5-15/spl deg/C/min) and temperature (350-800/spl deg/C) on the lignin conversion, product yield and the product gas composition were studied.