Pyrolysis of Almond Shell: Product Yields and Chemical Activation of Chars

摘要

This study involves the pyrolysis of almond shell using a fixed-bed reactor operating under atmospheric pressure to investigate the influence of pyrolysis temperature on the product yields, and to investigate different chemical activating agents on the quality of solid product. Final temperature range of 400-700°C was carried out when the heating was 10°C/min. Final temperature of 500°C gave the highest bio-oil yield of ～22%. For the solid product the yield of 26% was attained at the same temperature. Elemental analysis, ~1H-NMR and FT-IR was performed with the bio-oil. Chars obtained at the temperatures of 500 and 600°C were impregnated with sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions and a second thermal treatment was applied at 500°C to obtain activated carbons. Activation conversions were achieved to be %89 for acid impregnation and to be %93.5 for base impregnation. All chars produced at different temperatures and activated carbons were characterized by proximate and ultimate analyses. FTIR spectra were investigated to examine the changes on the surface properties. Surface areas of all solid products were determined by BET equation. Analysis has shown that it is possible to obtain valuable liquid products similar to petroleum and activated carbons from the renewable source, almond shell.