Pyrolysis kinetics behaviour and thermal pyrolysis of Samanea saman seeds towards the production of renewable fuel

Abstract

The present study addresses pyrolysis behaviour and potential of Samanea saman seeds (SS) towards its bioenergy potential using thermogravimetric analyzer and in a cylindrical pyrolyzer (semi-batch reactor). Pyrolysis kinetic behaviour of biomass was carried out using Kissinger, Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) and Miura-Maki-Integral method (MMI) while thermal pyrolysis was carried out in a cylindrical shaped semi-batch reactor. Kinetic results confirmed that the average activation energy was found 118.24 kJ mol−1, 168.70 kJ mol−1, and 97.87 kJ mol−1 for Kissinger, DAEM, and MMI model respectively. Further, thermal pyrolysis of SS biomass yielded 44.20 wt% yield of pyrolytic liquid (31.20 wt% pyrolytic oil/organic oil and 13 wt% aqueous fraction). Characterization results of pyrolytic oil showed the presence of higher viscosity (86.01 cSt), higher oxygen content (33.11%), and lower ash content (0.46 wt%) and gross heating value. FTIR analysis confirmed mainly the presence of aromatics, acid, alkene, water, and protein impurities. Gas Chromatography (GC) results declared, an increase in hydrocarbon and hydrogen gas with an increase in temperature while reduced the generation of CO and CO2. Further, GC-MS analysis of pyrolytic oil revealed the presence of higher acids (19.46%), phenols (11.01%) ethers (11.12%) and ester (7.33%) which is a potent source of oxygenated compounds. Characterization results of biochar showed the presence of higher gross heating value (23.14 MJ kg), carbon content (62.66%), volatile matter (34.15%) and lower moisture (5.14%) and BET surface area (8.20 m2 g−1). Combining these results, it can be suggested that SS biomass has the potential to produce renewable fuel and chemicals, while biochar can be used for various applications.