Bio-oil Production from an Oilseed By-product: Fixed-bed Pyrolysis of Olive Cake

Abstract

A study of pyrolysis of olive cake at the temperature range from 400°C to 700°C has been carried out. The experiments were performed in a laboratory scale tubular reactor under nitrogen atmosphere. The yields of derived gases, liquids, and char were determined in relation to pyrolysis temperature and sweeping gas flow rates, at heating rates of about 300°C min−1. As the pyrolysis temperature was increased, the percentage mass of char decreased whilst gas product increased. The oil products increased to a maximum value of ∼39.4 wt% of dry ash free biomass at a pyrolysis temperature of about 550°C in a nitrogen atmosphere with flow rate of 100 mL min−1 and with a heating rate of 300°C min−1. Results showed that the bio-oil obtained under the optimum conditions is a useful substitute for fossil fuels or chemicals.