Fuel Properties and Chemical Compositions of Bio-Oils from Biomass Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis of biomass is a promising alternative route for producing energy and chemical feedstock. This research proposes to investigate effect of pyrolysis temperature on product yields and the determination of their physicochemical properties. Slow pyrolysis of biomass (cassava pulp residue, palm shell and palm kernel) was performed in a fixed bed reactor. Palm kernel pyrolysis provided the highest liquid yield (54.34 wt%) at 700°C. Fuel properties of bio-oils are viscosity at 40°C, 1.46-58.72 cSt (mm²/s); pH, 2.8-5.6 and heating value, 14.92-40.00 MJ/kg. The boiling range distribution of dewatered palm kernel oil was closest to that of diesel oil while its heating value approached that of fuel oil. The main gases consisted of CO₂, CO, CH₄ and H₂ and char obtained giving high calorific values in the range of 30.0-34.5 MJ/kg.