Pyrolysis of apricot kernel shell in a fixed-bed reactor: Characterization of bio-oil and char

• Apricot kernel shell was utilized as a potential feedstock to produce bio-oil.
• The maximum bio-oil yield was obtained as 26.3% at optimum conditions.
• The bio-oil has an empirical formula of CH1.53O0.31N0.01, H/C atomic ratio of 1.53.
• The heating value of the bio-oil is 27.19 MJ/kg.
• The BET surface area of char was determined as 195 m2/g.

The pyrolysis of apricot kernel shell was studied for determining the main characteristics and quantities of liquid and solid products. Experiments were carried out in a static atmosphere with heating rates of 10 °C/min and 50 °C/min, pyrolysis temperatures of 400, 450, 500 and 550 °C and sweep gas flow rates of 50–200 cm3/min. The maximum bio-oil and char yields were 26.3 (500 °C) and 35.2% (400 °C), respectively. The TG-DTG analyses were applied on the raw material to investigate the thermal degradation of apricot kernel shell. The elemental analysis and heating value of the bio-oils were determined, and then the chemical composition of the bio-oil was investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as column chromatography, 1H NMR, and FTIR. In addition, the char was characterized by elemental, BET and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. According to the experimental results the liquid products can be used as liquid fuels and the solid product seems to be suitable for adsorption purposes due to its high surface area.