Fast pyrolysis of durian (Durio zibethinus L) shell in a drop-type fixed bed reactor: Pyrolysis behavior and product analyses

Durian shell (DS) was pyrolyzed in a drop-type fixed-bed reactor to study the physicochemical properties of the products. The experiment was carried out with different particle sizes (up to 5 mm) and reaction temperatures (250-650 degrees C). The highest bio-oil yield was obtained at 650 degrees C (57.45 wt%) with DS size of 1-2 mm. The elemental composition and higher heating value of the feedstock, bio-oil (650 degrees C), and bio-char (650 degrees C) were determined and compared. The compositions of product gases were determined via gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detector. The chemical composition of bio-oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The bio-oil produced at lower temperature yields more alcohols, whereas the bio-oil produced at higher temperature contains more aromatics and carbonyls. Bio-oil has potential to be used as liquid fuel or fine chemical precursor after further upgrading. The results further showed the potential of bio-char as a solid fuel. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.