Production and Characterisation of Bio-Oil from Agricultural Residues

Abstract

Energy crisis have become a global issue. Africa is one of the great contributors of agricultural produce, however no efficient way is established to covert the agricultural residues to useful products. Therefore, this study was to ascertain the combining effect of the agricultural residues on the yield and quality of bio oil produced. Biomass from cassava peel, rice husk and corn stalk were obtained and prepared. The sulphur and fixed carbon contents of the biomass were less making them more environmentally friendly. Biomass (i.e cassava peel, rice husk, and corn stalk) were mixed in different concentrations of 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:1:2 respectively and subjected to fast pyrolysis using a fixed bed reactor. The biomass concentration which gave the highest yield of bio-oil was 2:1:1 with a yield of 55.63 %. This yield was reached at a temperature of 525 °C. However, the physicochemical properties of the high yielding bio-oil fairly satisfied the ASTM D7544 standards. Further improvement on the bio-oil will enhance its usefulness as a suitable alternative to diesel.