Pyrolysis of Parinari polyandra Benth fruit shell for bio-oil production

Abstract

Non-conventional agricultural residues such as <em>Parinari polyandra</em> Benth fruit shell (PPBFS) are potential sources of biomass feedstock that have not been investigated for bio oil production. In this study, PPBFS was pyrolyzed <em>via</em> an intermediate pyrolysis process for the production of bio oil. The bio oils were obtained using a fixed bed reactor within a temperature range of 375–550 ^oC and were characterized to determine their physicochemical properties. The most abundant organic compounds present were acetic acid, toluene, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-furanmethanol, phenol, guaiacol and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. The bio-oil produced at 550 ^oC possessed a higher quantity of desirable compounds than those produced at lower temperatures. The presence of acetic acids in the bio-oil suggested the need to upgrade the bio-oil before utilization as a fuel source.