Bio-oil production via co-pyrolysis of almond shell as biomass and high density polyethylene

• We investigate to see the effect of HDPE addition on thermal decomposition of lignocellulosic materials.
• Increasing the proportion of HDPE in mixtures increases the oil yields.
• After co-pyrolysis applied, obtained oil is more stable due to having lower oxygen content and higher heating value.
• The addition of HDPE to aS has a positive effect on fuel properties of obtained oil.

Biomass from almond shell (aS) was co-pyrolyzed with high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer to investigate the synergistic effects on the product yields and compositions. The pyrolysis temperature was selected as 500 °C, based on results of TGA-DTG. Co-pyrolysis of HDPE-biomass mixtures were pyrolysed with various proportions such as 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 0:1. The yield of liquids produced during co-pyrolysis enhanced 23%, as the weight ratio of HDPE in the mixture was doubled. Obtained bio-oils were analyzed with using column chromatography, 1H NMR, GC/MS, and FT-IR. According to analyses results, produced liquids by co-pyrolysis had higher carbon (26% higher) and hydrogen contents (78% higher), lower oxygen content (%86 less) with a higher heating value (38% higher) than those of biomass oil.