Thermochemical conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus biomass for bio-oil synthesis: kinetics and techno-economic analysis

Abstract

A single-stage fixed bed reactor was fabricated to study the thermochemical conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus biomass. Parthenium hysterophorus biomass was subjected to proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and gross calorific value analysis. Thermogravimetric analyses of Parthenium hysterophorus were performed at 5 °C min−1, 10 °C min−1, and 15 °C min−1. Parthenium hysterophorus pyrolysis was performed at 400 °C to 600 °C with a temperature ramp of 50 °C. The yield of bio-oil was estimated to be 23.11%, 25.80%, 30.12%, 32.30%, and 30.93%, at 400 °C, 450 °C, 500 °C, 550 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. The kinetic parameters were evaluated with model free methods. The Kissinger model reported a mean activation energy of 108.58 kJ mol−1. The Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose model, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall model, and Friedman model reported a mean activation energy of 163.50 kJ mol−1, 169.67 kJ mol−1, and 297.13 kJ mol−1, respectively. The volatile and semi-volatile compounds in the bio-oil were analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). A nondestructing X-ray fluorescence analysis was performed for determination of elemental composition and ash content. A flue gas analyzer quantified the pyro-gas composition. Energy and exergy analysis of pyro-gas from Parthenium hysterophorus inscripts the uniqueness of the study. The maximum energy efficiency for thermochemical conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus was 73.19%. The maximum exergy was estimated to be 61.37% at 600 °C. The exergy efficiency of the thermochemical conversion of Parthenium hysterophorus increased by 30% at 600 °C in comparison with thermochemical conversion at 400 °C. The anergy value was estimated to be 2.3 MJ kg−1 at 600 °C. Techno-economic analysis of the Parthenium hysterophorus pyrolysis was also reported.