Experimental investigation on catalytic pyrolysis of Mahua seed with Al2O3 and Kaolin catalyst to liquid fuel

This study investigates the pyrolysis of Mahua seed in the presence of Al 2 O 3 and Kaolin catalysts to produce high-quality liquid biofuel. Pyrolysis was conducted at an optimized temperature of 525 °C in a semi-batch reactor. To assess performance, the effects of feed-to-catalyst ratios (2:1 to 8:1) were evaluated relative to thermal pyrolysis. Notably, Al 2 O 3 at a 2:1 ratio significantly improved oil quality, yielding a calorific value (CV) of 42.50 MJ/kg and a reduced viscosity of 18.07 cP. Furthermore, FTIR analysis confirmed a higher concentration of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in catalytic oils compared to thermal bio-oil. Although catalysts improved hydrocarbon distribution, DSC analysis revealed a limited impact on cold-flow properties. This finding suggests the need for further hydro-isomerization to enhance performance in low-temperature environments.