Interactions in co-pyrolysis of Salicornia bigelovii and heavy fuel oil

The interactions in the co-pyrolysis of biomass from Salicornia bigelovii (SB) with heavy fuel oil (HFO) were studied through an investigation of the yields, kinetics, and the quality of bio-oil and biochar produced. Co-pyrolysis experiments were performed at 550 °C in a quartz tube with three samples of different ratios of SB and HFO. The decomposition of the samples was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The effect of changing the geometry of the sample holder was also investigated in the TGA. The addition of HFO enhanced the volatilization of the sample which resulted in a decrease in char yield and an increase in gas yield. Mixing also increased reactivity and lowered the apparent activation energies in the last stage (227–500 °C) of the co-pyrolysis process. The amount of oxygenated compounds in the bio-oil collected from the mixtures was reduced. The selectivity towards aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons increased with an increased addition of HFO and the selectivity towards acids and nitrogen containing groups decreased. Co-pyrolysis of SB and HFO has the potential to produce better quality biofuels through an environmentally friendly process.