Comparison of the properties of birch bark tar obtained by the double-clay pot method and the laboratory method

The aim of the experiment was to produce tar from birch bark using the double-pot (traditional) and laboratory methods and to compare them in order to obtain information about the properties of pyrolysis products. The comparison was made based on the analysis of the effectiveness of the methods used, assessment of selected physical properties and chemical composition of pyrolysis products using TGA, FTIR and Py-GC/MS techniques, and identification of the antioxidant properties of pyrolysis products. Birch bark tar was obtained in both methods used. It was found that the production method and the selection of pyrolysis parameters affect the properties of birch bark tar such as density, viscosity, content of solid fraction, solubility, thermal properties, structure and chemical composition, as well as antioxidant properties.