Bio-Fuel Properties and Elemental Analysis of Bio-Oil Produced from Pyrolysis of Gmelina Arborea

Abstract

Nigeria demand for sustainable, affordable and accessible energy is on the rise. Hence, this led to rigorous research to determine affordable processes of using waste materials for production of sustainable energy. In this research pyrolysis was carried out in a fabricated fixed bed pilot-scale reactor using Gmelina arborea (sawdust) biomass for the production of bio-oil. The physical, chemical properties and the ultimate analysis of the bio oil produced were determined following standard methods. The physicochemical properties and ultimate analysis obtained were favourable. The highest moisture content of 21 % at 600 °C and least moisture content of 12 % at 900 °C were obtained from Gmelina arborea . The elemental results of the products show low sulphur quantity which is of good prospects that Gmelina arborea are good materials for bioenergy production without posing danger to the environment. Utilisation of Gmelina arborea for bio-oil production as an alternative fuel would shun unfavourable environmental abasement related to the use of conventional fuels.