Biofuel production by pyrolysis of cassava peel in a fixed bed reactor

The development of any nation is largely energy dependent. Major sources of energy are fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable and produce harmful emissions to the environment. Biomass is being considered as a potential alternative to fossils. This research att empted to convert cassava residue (cassava peel) into bio-oil, pyrogas, and char through pyrolysis in a fi xed bed reactor. Cassava peel was procured fresh from a cassava milling industry in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, South Western Nigeria. The peel was water washed to reduce alkali metal present, sun dried for 3 days to reduce moisture content, and ground to obtain a uniform size distribution of 2-4 mm. Samples (50 g each) were also oven dried at fi ve drying temperature levels (60, 75, 90, 105, and 120°C) for 30 min. The pyrolysis experiment was carried out at different temperature levels (400, 500, 600, and 700°C) at a residence time of 20 min. The results revealed a maximum tar yield of 44% at 500°C (60°C drying temperature), char yield of 34% at 400°C (120°C drying temperature), and pyrogas yield of 64% at 700°C (60°C drying temperature). This study showed that, the cassava peel, which ordinarily creates a nuisance to the environment in developing countries, is a potential source of biofuel and the distribution of its pyrolysis products depends on both drying and reactor temperatures. © 2016 by Begell House, Inc.