Influence of pyrolysis process on the production of bio-oil used as alternative green energy from Pistacia lentiscus L

In the sector of industry, there are quite a few energy production processes but pyrolysis remains the simplest one owing to its proprieties in reducing gases that contribute to atmospheric pollution. The pyrolysis of Pistacia lentiscus L seeds was studied in pyrolysis reactors operating between 300 and 550 degrees C, the speed rates ranging from 5 degrees to 30 degrees C min-1 and grain size varies between 75 mu m and 1200 mu m. The thermal analysis (GTA and DTA) of the seeds indicates the presence of two peaks corresponding to important chemical transformations at 360 degrees C and 475 degrees C. The physicochemical analysis of the seeds bio-oil indicates a density of 887.6 mg cm-3, a dynamic viscosity equals 3.868 mPa.s and a kinematic viscosity equals 4.298 mm2 s-1. The elemental analysis shows that the seeds bio-oil, which has a big percentage of carbon and oxygen, shows a total absence of sulfur. The utmost yield of bio-oil of 63.86% was obtained at an optimum pyrolysis temperature of 475 degrees C, at a heating rate of 25 degrees C min-1 and therefore the calorific value of the bio-oil was 38.69 MJ kg-1. The FTIR-ATR is used for identifying the functional groups present in the bio-oil. Various compounds present in the bio-oil were identified by gas chro-matography using GC-MS. The 96.28% of organic compounds are fatty acids, linear and branched alkanes with 2%, and the rest is distributed between amines and alcohols, ketones, and ethers. Therefore, bio-oil can be a source of biofuel or a source of compounds for pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses.

Automated summary

The pyrolysis of Pistacia lentiscus L seeds was studied, and the resulting bio-oil showed significant chemical transformations and physicochemical properties. It can be used as a source of biofuel or compounds for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.