Effects of operational parameters on bio-oil production from biomass.

In this study, the production of bio-oil from the pyrolysis of furniture sawdust, waste lubricating oil and their mixtures were investigated under certain operating conditions in the presence of lime and zeolites, by using a laboratory scale horizontal tubular reactor placed in a furnace. The main focus was to investigate the mutual effect of lime and commercial zeolite on the amount of the bio-oil production from furniture sawdust and waste lubricating oil. The selected operating parameters were pyrolysis temperatures and heating rate of 300°C and 650°C and flash heating or gradual heating rate (30°C/min). Additionally, three different additives were tested as catalysts; namely, lime (CaO), commercial zeolite (4A) and a natural zeolite (klinoptilolite). The amount of the produced bio-oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. The distribution of solid, liquid and gaseous products was determined for each operational condition. It was seen that the amount of the bio-oil was influenced by the amounts of sawdust and zeolite in the mixture. Experimental results showed that higher temperatures were more effective for the higher bio-oil amount. Additionally, heating rate was quite significant at 300°C whereas it has a minor effect on the bio-oil amount at 650°C. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained for the mixture of sawdust and waste lubricating oil in the presence of both lime and commercial zeolite with flash heating rate at 650°C.