Assessing coconut shell pyrolysis: Biomass characterization, activation energy estimation, and statistical analysis of operating conditions

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the conventional pyrolysis of green coconut shell (GCS) in a fixed-bed reactor, analyzing operational conditions and their impact on product yields using statistical methods. Comprehensive characterization of GCS highlighted an extractive content of 36.65 %, significantly influencing the pyrolysis activation energy. Statistical analysis revealed that temperature has a more pronounced effect on yield over particle size. Optimal pyrolysis conditions were identified at 773.15 K with a particle diameter of 1.3 mm, achieving a maximum bio-oil yield of 49.45 %, surpassing the reported in previous fixed-bed reactor studies. Bio-oil analysis indicated aldehydes, phenols, and esters predominance, with temperature as the primary factor influencing their formation. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of GCS pyrolysis in fixed bed reactors for converting waste into valuable products with potential applications as energy sources, as well as in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, thereby reducing environmental impacts associated with improper disposal.