Modelling and optimisation of intermediate pyrolysis synthesis of bio-oil production from palm kernel shell

A Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) is an enclosed shell obtained as residue from processing palm kernel. Its regarded as lignocellulosic biomass that serves as an abundant renewable energy source. The thermal and physicochemical behaviour was investigated, and results showed a low Fixed Carbon (FC) (22.60 wt%), high Volatile Matter (VM) (74.60 wt%), and high Higher Heating Value (HHV) of 19.78 MJ/kg. The elemental results showed the presence of C (48.70 wt%), H (5.58 wt%), N (0.23 wt%), O (45.02 wt%), and S (0.04 wt%). The fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor was utilised for the decomposition of the PKS to produce an optimum bio-oil of 47.10 wt% at temperature (520 °C), reaction time (15 min), nitrogen (175 cm3/min), particle size (0.70 mm), and heating rate (22.5 °C/min). The efficient Response Surface Methodology (RSM) via Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to model and optimise the operating parameters. P