Pyrolysis of sal seed to liquid product

•This paper highlights the chemical recycling of sal seed by thermal pyrolysis.•Utilization of non-edible oilseeds.•Production of the liquid fuels from biomass.•The results of thermal pyrolysis of different seeds carried out by different researchers.•Suitability of liquid product obtained after thermal pyrolysis of sal seed as an alternate fuel. Thermal pyrolysis of sal seed (Shorea Robusta) was carried out in a semi-batch reactor at a temperature range of 400–625°C and at a heating rate of 20°C/min. The FTIR analysis of bio-fuel indicates the presence of functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters. The composition of the liquid product was analyzed using GC–MS and found the presence of hydrocarbons between 6 and 20 carbon atoms in a chain. The physical properties of the obtained liquid were close to that of petroleum fractions. The pyrolysis char can be used as an adsorbent as well as a solid fuel due to its high calorific value.