South African Journal of Chemical Engineering (Oct 2021)
Pyrolysis of pig-hair in a fixed bed reactor: Physico-chemical parameters of bio-oil
Abstract
Pyrolysis is becoming a prominent method for producing bio-oil from biomass. It has the potential to contribute to the development of a viable renewable fuel market while also ensuring environmental sustainability. In this study, bio-oil was produced from abundantly available pig hair in a fixed bed reactor. The influence of pyrolysis factors such as temperature and heating rate on the production of bio-oil, bio-char, and syngas was examined. The prepared materials were pyrolyzed at 50 °C intervals in the temperature range of 300 to 550 °C. The results showed that the pyrolysis temperature has a moderate impact on product yields and bio-oil properties. The maximum bio-oil yield of 51.8 wt% was obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C while the other product yields were 39.5 wt.% of bio-char and 43.0 wt.% of non-condensable gasses. The viscosity, density, elemental analysis, API density, pH, moisture and ash contents, and other physicochemical parameters of bio-oil were measured, and the gross calorific value (HHV) and net calorific value (LHV) were determined to be 20.66 MJ/kg and 19.31 MJ/kg, respectively. The bio-oil had a low water content and pH value, as a result, the content of oxygenated compounds has decreased, favouring the presence of non-oxygenated chemical compounds as revealed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The bio-oil contained compounds such as 2,6-octadienal,3,7-dimethyl (38.86%), citral (24.9%),.beta.-myrcene (5.47%), linoelaidic acid (5.41%), trans-13-octadecanoic acid (4.32%), hydrocarbon, ester, alcohol, ketones, alkanes, fatty acid, toluene, aromatic etc. were identified in the bio-oil which can be used in the manufacturing of chemicals, pharmaceutical and dyes industries, paint and perfume industries, and flammable gasses. As technology progresses, bio-oil will become a more feasible alternative to diesel. This study demonstrated that pig hair is a viable feedstock for a wide range of prospective fossil fuel substitutes and has a wide range of uses in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and dye sectors, as well as the biodiesel industry.
