@article { author = {Mishra, Ranjeet Kumar and Mohanty, Kaustubha}, title = {Pyrolysis of low-value waste sawdust over low-cost catalysts: physicochemical characterization of pyrolytic oil and value-added biochar}, journal = {Biofuel Research Journal}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {1736-1749}, year = {2022}, publisher = {Alpha Creation Enterprise}, issn = {2292-8782}, eissn = {2292-8782}, doi = {10.18331/BRJ2022.9.4.4}, abstract = {The present work deals with an experimental investigation into the generation and characterization of pyrolytic oil and biochar from Sal wood sawdust (SW). The pyrolysis experiment was performed in a semi-batch reactor at 500 oC and 80 oC/min heating rate with CaO, CuO, and Al2O3 catalysts. Further, the pyrolytic oil and biochar were investigated using different analyses, including proximate analysis, elemental analysis, thermal stability, GC-MS, FTIR, field emission scanning electron microscopy, electrical conductivity analysis, higher heating value (HHV), zeta potential analysis, and ash content analysis. Pyrolysis results revealed that compared to thermal pyrolysis (46.02 wt%), the pyrolytic oil yield was improved by catalytic pyrolysis with CaO and CuO (50.02 and 48.23 wt%, respectively). Further, the characterization of pyrolytic oil revealed that the loading of catalysts considerably improved the oil's properties by lowering its viscosity (69.50 to 22 cSt), ash content (0.26 to 0.11 wt%), and oxygen content (28.32 to16.60 %) while raising its acidity (4.2 to 9.6), heating value (25.66 to 36.09 MJ/kg), and carbon content (61.79 to 74.28%). According to the FTIR analysis, the pyrolytic oil contained hydrocarbons, phenols, aromatics, alcohols, and oxygenated compounds. Additionally, the GC-MS analysis showed that catalysts significantly reduced oxygenated fractions, phenols (20.23 to 15.26%), acids (12.23 to 6.56%), and increased hydrocarbons (12 to 16 wt%). Additionally, the results of the biochar analysis demonstrated that SW biochar was appropriate for a range of industrial applications, including in catalysts, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and bio-composite materials.}, keywords = {Sal wood sawdust,Pyrolysis,low-cost catalyst,Biochar,Pyrolytic Oil}, url = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_161904.html}, eprint = {https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_161904_729d5f285156ce09bdab12458e17ecbf.pdf} }