Bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of rice husk: Yields and related properties and improvement of the pyrolysis system

Rice husk was fast pyrolysed at temperatures between 420 degrees C and 540 degrees C in a fluidized bed, and the main product of bio-oil is obtained. The experimental result shows that the highest bio-oil yield of 56 wt% was obtained at 465 degrees C for rice husk. Chemical composition of bio-oil acquired was analyzed by GC-MS and its heat value, stability, miscibility and corrosion characteristics were determined. These results showed that bio-oil obtained can be directly used as a fuel oil for combustion in a boiler or a furnace without any upgrading. Alternatively, the fuel can be refined to be used by vehicles. Furthermore, the energy performance of the pyrolysis process was analyzed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.