Optimization of process for the production of bio-oil from eucalyptus wood

The pyrolysis of eucalyptus wood was carried out in a batch reactor to optimize the yield of bio-oil. Effect of various parameters such as feed (particle) size, temperature, presence of catalyst, and heating rate on the yield of bio-oil was investigated. The optimum conditions for the high yield of bio-oil are with fast heating rate, pyrolysis temperature of 450°C, and using the particle size of 2–5 mm (average l/d=12.84/2.03 mm). The reaction kinetics and the quality of bio-oil produced are independent of the presence of different catalysts such as mordenite, kaoline clay, fly ash, and silica–alumina. The physical properties such as odor, color, pH, viscosity, and heating value were determined. The FTIR analysis of bio-oil indicates the presence of different functional groups such as monomeric alcohol, phenol, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acid, amines, and nitro compounds. The composition of the bio-oil at different conditions was analyzed using GC-MS and found that the components are temperature-dependent but independent of catalysts used.