Pyrolysis of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed): Parametric influence on the product yield and product characterization

A semi-batch reactor was used to carry out the pyrolysis of Ageratum conyzoides. The outcome of pyrolysis parameters vis temperature (350–600 °C); heating rate (25–100 °C min −1 ) and sweeping gas (N 2 ) flow rate (0.1–0.5 L min −1 ) were observed on the product yield. The fixed particle size of 0.425 mm was maintained throughout the pyrolysis process. The maximum pyrolytic-oil yield of 37.55 mass% was achieved at a temperature of 525 °C under a constant heating rate and sweeping gas flow rate of 75 °C min −1 and 0.2 L min −1 . Biomass, biochar, pyrolytic-oil and pyrolysis–gas were characterized through CHNS and O, FT-IR, TG and DTG, SEM–EDX, BET, XRD, 1 H-NMR and GC–MS analysers. The A. conyzoides pyrolytic-oil and biochar has an empirical formula of CH 1.32 O 0.82 and CH 0.82 O 0.44 and a high heating value of 17.79 MJ kg −1 and 22.93 MJ kg −1 . Presence of lower and higher hydrocarbon compounds in pyrolytic-oil makes it a suitable feedstock for the production of various chemicals. High alkalinity and carbonaceous nature of biochar make it suitable for the modification of soil or can be utilized as a solid fuel. The pyrolysis–gas has a gross calorific value of 5.32 MJ m −3 and can be utilized as an alternative gaseous energy source.