Intermediate Pyrolysis of Desert Date Shell for Conversion to High‐Quality Biomaterial Resources

Abstract

Intermediate pyrolysis on desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus) shell (BAS) was accomplished for the first time to authenticate the biomass potential for producing quality biomaterials such as bio-oil and biochar. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to examine the compositions of the resultant biooil. The FTIR spectrum revealed the functional groups of oxygenated compounds like aldehydes, alcohols, phenolics, acids, and esters in the bio-oil. GC-MS confirmed that the bio-oil has diverse compositions of oxygenated compounds rich in acids, phenolics, and benzene derivatives. From the ultimate analysis, the bio-oil had a higher carbon content and a lower oxygen content than the corresponding BAS sample. The calorific values, by comparison, were higher than that of the BAS sample but lower than for fossil fuels. The favorable outcomes from the characters of the bio-oil and biochar suggested that BAS can be an attractive feedstock to produce high-value biomaterials.

Pyrolysis of Canarium schweinfurthii hard-shell: Thermochemical characterisation and pyrolytic kinetics studies

“…Temperature affects how the hard-shell degrades because heat accelerates the pyrolysis reactions that change the distribution of the end product. This study's findings are strikingly similar to the effects of temperature on the intermediate pyrolysis of desert dates [ 7 ] to biochar, gas, and bio-oil. Temperature has a profound influence on product distribution, according to several studies on the pyrolysis of various types of biomass feedstocks.…”

“…The list of identified compounds was derived from the mass spectrum library at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The bio-oils physical properties were determined using established techniques described in the literature [ 7 ]. The carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur contents of the bio-oils were ascertained using a CHNO/S analyser (PerkinElmer 400 Series II), and the oxygen content was determined using mass balance.…”

“…Bio-oil is a particular focus of research because it is a liquid hydrocarbon that can be used in tandem with fossil fuels to reduce environmental hazards [ 6 ]. Furthermore, biochar can be used as a solid fuel in heating systems and boiler furnaces [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…The pyrolysis route convert lignocellulosic or other biomass to produce bio-oil, which is another biofuel precursor [ 10 , 12 ]. Desert dates [ 7 ] and oil palm waste [ 13 ] are two examples of thermally decomposed biomass to produce bio-oil. Fast and intermediate pyrolysis, for example, are designed to yield the most bio-oil [ 7 ].…”

“…Desert dates [ 7 ] and oil palm waste [ 13 ] are two examples of thermally decomposed biomass to produce bio-oil. Fast and intermediate pyrolysis, for example, are designed to yield the most bio-oil [ 7 ]. When pyrolysis operations are performed in fixed-bed reactors at temperatures of 500–700 °C, the heating rate is risen to between 10 and 30 °C/s, and the maximum yield of bio-oil is produced.…”