The slow pyrolysis of pomegranate seeds: The effect of temperature on the product yields and bio-oil properties

The slow pyrolysis of pomegranate seeds was carried out at 400, 500, 600 and 800 degrees C. The effect of temperature on the product distribution was discussed. The maximum liquid yields were obtained at the temperatures of 500 and 600 degrees C. The gaseous products from the pyrolysis of pomegranate seeds contained CO2, CO, CH4 as well as hydrocarbons from C-2 to C-7 and H2S. The major gas product was CO2. Identification of bio-oil components was done by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Phenols and alkyl-benzenes were prominent in bio-oils obtained at all tested temperatures. The boiling point distributions of hydrocarbons in bio-oils at 400, 500, 600 and 800 degrees C were found to be similar. The total non-aromatic hydrocarbons were higher than that of aromatic hydrocarbons in water fractions for all pyrolysis temperatures. Bio-chars produced from pomegranate seeds are carbon rich fuels with high bulk densities and calorific values. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.