Co-pyrolysis of sunflower-oil cake with potassium carbonate and zinc oxide using plasma torch to produce bio-fuels

► Co-pyrolysis of sunflower-oil cake with potassium carbonate and zinc oxide were demonstrated to be beneficial. ► Bio-fuel rich in CO was produced using potassium carbonate-assisted co-pyrolysis. ► The addition of zinc oxide enhanced the production of hydrogen-rich bio-fuel. ► The use of plasma torch prevented the formation of tar, yielding high quality bio-fuels. ► The inorganic part of biomass was converted into non-hazardous and non-leachable vitrified lava by plasma torch.