Characterization of Cashew Nut Shell Pyrolysis Liquid: As a Source of Sustainable Energy and a Precursor in many Chemical Industries

Abstract

20 g cashew nut shell (CNS) was pyrolyzed in a fixed bed pyrolysis reactor at a temperature of 700 °C, heating rate of 100 °C/min, and time of 45 minutes. The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) obtained was 61.3 %. Proximate and ultimate analyses, viscosity (cp), density (g/ml), pH, FT-IR, and GC-MS were carried out on the liquid. The results from the GC-MS and FT-IR analyses showed that the liquid consist mainly of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The GC-MS analysis showed the different compounds present in this liquid and their relative abundance. From analyses, the liquid had an ash content of 0.06 %, sulphur content of 0.30 %, density of 0.992 g/ml, and a pH of 4.3.