Characterization of products from the pyrolysis of rapeseed oil cake

The main aim of this study was to investigate the composition of products from the pyrolysis of rapeseed oil cake in a fixed bed reactor at 400, 450, 500, 700 and 900 degrees C. The gas products mainly consisted of CO2, CO, CH4 and H2S at 500 degrees C. Empirical formula of bio-oil from the pyrolysis of rapeseed oil cake was CH1.59O0.16N0.116S0.003 for 500 degrees C. Bio-oils mainly contained oleic acid, 1H-indole, 2,3,5-trimethoxy toluene, toluene, (Z)-9-octadecanamide, psoralene, phenol and phenol derivatives at all pyrolysis temperatures. Both non-aromatic and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds were determined in water phase of liquid product by Headspace-GC analysis. The heating values of bio-chars were found to be similar (24 MJ kg(-1)) at all pyrolysis temperatures. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved