Production of bio-oil from de-oiled cakes by thermal pyrolysis

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 96; pp. 579 - 585
• Main Authors: Volli, Vikranth, Singh, R.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Azadirachta indica; Bio-oil; Brassica napus; De-oiled cakes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; GC–MS; Pyrolysis; SEM–EDX; Sesamum indicum; Pyrolysis; GC–MS; De-oiled cakes; Bio-oil; SEM–EDX; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermogravimetry; Dispersive spectrometry; Characterization; Infrared spectrometry; GC-MS; SEM-EDX; Calorific value; Heating; Char; Chemical composition; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Thermal degradation
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2012.01.016

► To determine the optimum temperature at which sesame, mustard and neem de-oiled cake gives maximum liquid product yield. ► To find the influence of temperature on the yields of liquid, gas and char at heating rate of 25°Cmin−1. ► Characterization of liquid product for it physical properties and ultimate analysis. ► Chemical characterization of pyrolytic oil by FTIR, 1HNMR, GC–MS. In the present study, pyrolysis of sesame (Sesamum indicum), mustard (Brassica napus) and neem (Azadirachta indica) de-oiled cakes were performed in a semi-batch reactor to determine the characteristics and yields of liquid and solid products. Pyrolysis experiments were carried out at the temperatures between 350°C and 700°C and at a heating rate of 25°Cmin−1. The maximum liquid product yield of 58.5%, 53.2% and 40.2% (by weight) was obtained and has the calorific values 25.5, 25.1 and 30MJ/kg for sesame, mustard and neem de-oiled cake respectively. The thermal degradation of sesame, mustard and neem de-oiled cake was studied in inert atmosphere by TGA. The chemical composition of the bio-oil and bio-char was investigated using 1H NMR, FTIR, GC/MS and SEM–EDX. The chemical characterization showed that the bio-oil obtained from sesame, mustard and neem de-oiled cake can be potentially valued as a fuel and chemical feedstock.