Production and characterization of phenolic compounds by flash pyrolysis of palmyra palm

New and renewable fuels are the major alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. Biomass in the form of agricultural residues is becoming popular among new renewable energy sources, especially given its wide potential and abundant usage. This study deals with the characterization of the pyrolysis oil obtained from palmyra palm fruit bunch (Borassus flabellifer) produced by flash pyrolysis in the maximum yield. The pyrolysis oil was analyzed to determine its elemental composition and heating value. The chemical composition of the pyrolysis oil and fractions was investigated using various chromatographic techniques such as Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The bio-oil product was presented as an environmentally friendly green biofuel candidate. The analytical results showed that the pyrolysis bio-oils were very complex mixtures of organic compounds and contained a lot of nitrogenated and oxygenated compounds such as, phenols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, pyridines, amines, ketones, and so on.