Experimental Studies on Thermal and Catalytic Slow Pyrolysis of Groundnut Shell to Pyrolytic Oil

Abstract

Pyrolysis process in a fixed bed reactor was performed to derive pyrolytic oil from groundnut shell. Experiments were conducted with different operating parameters to establish optimum conditions with respect to maximum pyrolytic oil yield. Pyrolysis process was carried out without catalyst (thermal pyrolysis) and with catalyst (catalytic pyrolysis). The Kaolin is used as a catalyst for this study. The maximum pyrolytic oil yield (39%wt) was obtained at 450°C temperature for 1.18- 2.36 mm of particle size and heating rate of 60°C/min. The properties of pyrolytic oil obtained by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis were characterized through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques to identify the functional groups and chemical components present in the pyrolytic oil. The study found that catalytic pyrolysis produce more pyrolytic oil yield and improve the pH value, viscosity and calorific value of the pyrolytic oil as compared to thermal pyrolysis.