Conversion of Hydrilla verticillata to bio-oil and charcoal using a continuous pyrolysis reactor

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the conversion of Hydrilla verticillata into bio-oil and charcoal through a continuous pyrolysis process. The pyrolysis was carried out at a controlled temperature in the range of 300–700°C. The bio-oil and charcoal were analyzed using elemental analysis, chemical composition, and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS). At the highest temperature of 700°C the maximum product yield of bio-oil (41.25%) was found, while the maximum product yield of charcoal was 44.98% at 300°C. These results indicate the influence of temperature variation. The analysis of the Hydrilla verticillata mixture found a great portion of large molecules, including phenols (-OH), esters (-C=O), aldehydes (-CHO), and ketones (-C=O). The SEM analysis of the charcoal determined the enhancement of specific surface areas and microporosity, indicating an active diffusion rate, which may make the product suitable for fuel applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Pyrolysis
• Hydrilla verticillata
• bio-oil
• charcoal
• biomass

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of the Higher Education Commission (EN 272 A).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.