Pyrolytic characteristics of Jatropha seedshell cake in thermobalance and fluidized bed reactors

Abstract

Pyrolytic kinetic parameters of Jatropha seedshell cake (JSC) were determined based on reaction mechanism approach under isothermal condition in a thermobalance reactor. Avrami-Erofeev reaction model represents the pyrolysis conversion of JSC waste well with activation energy of 36.4 kJ mol(-1) and frequency factor of 9.18 s(-1). The effects of reaction temperature, gas flow rate and feedstock particle size on the products distribution have been determined in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Pyrolytic bio-oil yield increases up to 42 wt% at 500 degrees C with the mean particle size of 1.7 mm and gas flow rate higher than 3U(mf), where the maximum heating value of bio-oil was obtained. The pyrolytic bio-oil is characterized by more oxygen, lower HHVs, less sulfur and more nitrogen than petroleum fuel oils. The pyrolytic oil showed plateaus around 360 degrees C in distribution of components' boiling point due to high yields of fatty acid and glycerides.