1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
3Department Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
*Email: ftitiladunayo@yahoo.com
The influence of temperature on the yield and properties of pyroligneous oil produced from three tropical biomass (Apa wood (Afzeliaafricana), Iroko wood (Meliciaexcelsa) and palm kernel (Elaeisguineensis)shells) were investigated at 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800°C in an in-house fabricated fixed-bed reactor. The syngas and pyroligneous oils, namely pyrolysis oil and tar, were studied. The biomass species and pyrolysis temperature significantly influence the oil yield (p<0.05). The chemical compositions of the pyrolysis oil were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the spectra showed the presence ofketonic (acid) and olefinic compounds. The ketonic acid is responsible for the high acidic nature of the oil. Density of the pyrolysis oil obtained from Apa, Iroko and PKS are not temperature and biomass source dependent.
Biomass, Pyrolysis, Fixed-bed reactor
