The kinetic properties of coconut shells during pyrolysis were studied to determine its reactivity in ground form. The kinetic
parameterswere determined by using thermogravimetric analyser.The activation energywas 122.780 kJ/mol.The pyrolysis products
were analyzed using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The effects of pyrolysis temperature on the
distribution of the pyrolytic products were assessed in a temperature range between 673K and 1073K.The set time for pyrolysis
was 2 s. Several compoundswere observed; theywere grouped into alkanes, acids, ethers and alcohols, esters, aldehydes and ketones,
furans and pyrans, aromatic compounds, and nitrogen containing compounds.The product compositions varied with temperature
in that range. The highest gas proportion was observed at high temperature while the acid proportion was observed to be highest in
coconut shells, thus lowering the quality of bio-oil. It has been concluded that higher pyrolysis temperature increases the amount of
pyrolysis products to a maximumvalue. It has been recommended to use coconut shell for production of gas, instead of production
of bio-oil due to its high proportion of acetic acid.
Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Swedish Energy
Agency