Production and detailed characterization of bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of palm kernel shell

• Maximum 56 wt% yield of bio-oil was obtained at 550 °C from palm kernel shell.
• Two layer of bio-oil was observed up to 500 °C, while it was one layer above 500 °C.
• Bio-oil from palm kernel shell provides more than 40% area ratio of phenol in GC–MS analysis.
• The calorific value of palm kernel shell bio-oil is higher than other bio-oil.

Bio-oil has been produced from palm kernel shell in a fluidized bed reactor. The process conditions were optimized and the detailed characteristics of bio-oil were carried out. The higher feeding rate and higher gas flow rate attributed to higher bio-oil yield. The maximum mass fraction of biomass (57%) converted to bio-oil at 550 °C when 2 L min−1 of gas and 10 g min−1 of biomass were fed. The bio-oil produced up to 500 °C existed in two distinct phases, while it formed one homogeneous phase when it was produced above 500 °C. The higher heating value of bio-oil produced at 550 °C was found to be 23.48 MJ kg−1. As GC–MS data shows, the area ratio of phenol is the maximum among the area ratio of identified compounds in 550 °C bio-oil. The UV–Fluorescence absorption, which is the indication of aromatic content, is also the highest in 550 °C bio-oil.