Production of Phenol from Liquid Smoke Resulted by the Pyrolysis of Cashew Nut Shells

Abstract

Cashew nut shell is a waste from cashew nut industry. It contains liquid known as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) which has similar molecule structure with synthetic phenol Phenol is a material for phenolic resin in preparation of varnish. The aims of this research are to determine the optimum temperature of pyrolysis for producing phenol liquid smoke and knowing the chemical composition of liquid smoke. This research used pyrolysis method at various pyrolysis temperatures were 200, 300, 400 and 500°C, respectively. The gas from the pyrolysis process was then condensed by the condenser until liquid was obtained. The liquid was deposited for 1 week in a separating funnel and then separated to obtain liquid smoke and residue. The volatile compounds of liquid smoke from a cashew nut shell were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the optimum pyrolysis temperature was at 400°C with a yield of 53.4% liquid smoke and the chemical composition of liquid smoke percentage: phenol (36,6%), carbonyl (7,1%), acid (18.8%) respectively. Phenol from liquid smoke resulted by the pyrolysis of cashew nut shells is an alternative material potential for substituting or replacing synthetic phenol from petroleum derivates.