Study on the simultaneous lipids transesterification and cellulosic matter liquefaction of oleaginous seeds of Pistacia atlantica

• Simultaneous transesterification and thermochemical liquefaction of Pistacia atlantica.
• Study was performed in sub and supercritical medium conditions.
• Maximum conversion rate and bio-oil yield were obtained at 375 °C and 43 bar.
• Lowest viscosity value was registered for products at 300 °C.

In this work, simultaneous transesterification and thermochemical liquefaction of Pistacia atlantica, an oleaginous plant, using ethanol as a reagent and a solvent was studied. Experiments were performed under temperatures ranging from 300 to 450 °C and pressures ranging from 40 to 85 bar. Effects of temperature and pressure on conversion rate, bio-oil and gas yield were studied. The maximum conversion rate and bio-oil yield were 82% and 56% respectively and were obtained at 375 °C and 43 bar. Gaseous products were mainly composed of carbon oxides at low temperatures. At 450 °C the percentage of light hydrocarbons increased to more than 40% due to secondary cracking of bio-oil. Bio-oil was compared to conventional biodiesel and it was concluded that products have higher viscosity and oxygen to carbon ratios and lower hydrogen content and heating values. Products obtained at 300 °C and 46 bar recorded the lowest viscosity that reached 6.8 mPa·s.