Pyrolysis and characterization of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> shell and seed coat

Abstract

The utilization of dedicated energy crops and agricultural residues for producing biofuels and bio-oil in a range of energy conversion technology is attracting more research interests. Pyrolysis is one of such important thermochemical method for converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels. This work investigates the pyrolysis of residues from a dedicated energy crop, jatropha of Nigerian origin using intermediate pyrolysis. Pyrolysis of Jatropha biomass residues [Jatropha fruit shells (JFS) and Jatropha seed coat (JSC)] was carried out in a tubular fixed bed reactor at a temperature of 450 o C, using intermediate pyrolysis method. Bio-oils were obtained and subsequently characterised for their physico-chemical properties. The yields of the resulting bio-oil, biochar and gas were determined. The compositions of the bio-oils obtained were also determined by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur (CHNS) elemental analysis. The main constituents of the bio-oils obtained from JFS and JSC were acetic acid, guaiacol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and phenol. The empirical formula of the obtained JFS and JSC bio-oils were found to be CH 1.77 O 0.28 N 0.04 and CH 2.03 O 0.47 N 0.04 respectively. The bio-oil samples that were produced from JSC and JFS of Nigerian origin were found suitable for bio-oil production. Valuable compounds found in the bio-oils indicated potential industrial applications. Keywords: Jatropha shell, pyrolysis, biomass waste, biofuel, bio-products