Characteristics of bio-oil from continuous fast pyrolysis of Prosopis juliflora

The main scope of this study was to evaluate continuous fast pyrolysis method and the quality of bio-oil produced from Prosospis juliflora on a self-designed Blade Type Reactor (BTR). The bio-oil was produced at 450 °C and characterised for ultimate and proximate analysis. For each batch of biomass feed stock, the BTR had conversion efficiency into bio-oil of 50%, 19% syngas, and the rest biochar. The bio-oil produced was characterised by TGA, FTIR, GC-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR to understand the thermal behaviour and evaluate chemical composition. The results from TGA analysis indicate that the bio-oil contains about 6% wt of water and its constituents are stable up to 160 °C, before starting to degrade completely by 360 °C. The bio-oil contain more than 20 different organic compounds, including phenolic, carbonyl, furfural and toluene. As a blending agent, the performance of the 35% bio-oil blended diesel was slightly higher than pure fossil diesel when the engine was operated at full load condition. Further, the bio-oil exhibited antibacterial properties, tested against a few selected bacterial pathogens. In brief, the bio-oil from P. juliflora has potential as a blending agent to diesel primarily (for biodiesel) and secondly for some antibacterial purposes. •Demonstration of a functioning continuous pyrolysis unit prototype, with a production time of 6 min.•High performing bio-oil with engine grade.•Proven multiple properties including antibacterial.•Value addition to a shrub, Prosopis juliflora, till now regarded as useless and ecological nuisance.