BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, cilt.102, sa.4, ss.3946-3951, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, pyrolysis of grape bagasse was investigated with the aim to study the product distribution and their chemical compositions and to identify optimum process conditions for maximizing the bio-oil yield. Particular investigated process variables were temperature (350-600 degrees C), heating rate (10-50 degrees C/min) and nitrogen gas flow rate (50-200 cm(3)/min). The maximum oil yield of 27.60% was obtained at the final pyrolysis temperature of 550 degrees C, sweeping gas flow rate of 100 cm(3)/min and heating rate of 50 degrees C/min in a fixed-bed reactor. The elemental analysis and heating value of the bio-oils were determined, and then the chemical composition of the bio-oil was investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as column chromatography, H-1 NMR and FTIR. The fuel properties of the bio-oil such as flash point, viscosity and density were also determined. The bio-oils obtained from grape bagasse were presented as an environmentally friendly feedstock candidate for bio-fuels. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.