Bio-based liquids and solids from sustainable feedstock: Production and analysis

Thermal pyrolysis of a non-edible feedstock, wild (Brassica juncea L.) seeds (WMS) in a fixed-bed reactor for creating bio-oil (BO) and biochar (BC) was the essential scope of this work. Pyrolysis of the WMS was accomplished at various temperatures for varied durations using different WMS particle sizes at different heating rates. The typical yield of liquid products was 49.55 +/- 2.50 % with BO content of 32.62 % when the MTS thermal pyrolysis was carried out under the optimum conditions (475 degrees C, heating rate of 20 degrees C/min, 60 min, the particle diameter:70 mesh). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton- nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR), GC-MS, and ultimate analysis have been employed to characterize the attained BO. The FTIR, H-1 NMR, and GC-MS studies revealed that the obtained BO generally comprises mono-aromatic, oxygenates, alkanes, alkenes, higher acids, and nitriles. These compounds are similar to those existing in the other BO samples established in the literature. Elemental analysis studies showed that the chemical formula of BO from WMS is CH1.13 N0.001S0.002 O-0.36 with a calorific value of 24.40 MJ/kg. The BC was transformed into activated charcoal (AC) through the ZnCl2 activation method. The iodine number, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the typical AC sample were measured. The findings disclosed that a high amorphous carbon with 450 mg/g iodine number was acquired under optimum conditions. The outcomes thus revealed that the BO from WMS has the prospective to be employed as a substitute for conventional petro-fuels or a source of chemicals. Also, the BC can be implemented as a solid fuel or in the synthesis of AC.