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Sustainability of corn based-biomass for production of bio-oil and their characterization through solar thermal energy approach

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Abstract

This study aims to use solar energy-based pyrolysis to convert biomass from corn crop residues into biofuels, such as liquid and solid fuels. Bio-oil and biochar assessments were accomplished with high levels of success. Their suitability as fuel candidates was determined based on techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, etc. It was discovered that the utmost outcome of 23% of bio-oil was produced at an average reactor temperature of 220–310 °C. The ultimate analysis revealed that the biomass comprises 27.78% oxygen, 0.52% sulfur, 5.6% nitrogen, 58.5% carbon, and 7.6% hydrogen. The bio-oil was found to have a high percentage of hydrogen (56.62%), carbon (5.255%), and nitrogen (2.27%) with an average chemical composition of CH1.11N0.06O0.47. The bio-oil consists of 1.11% of carbon to hydrogen and 0.47% oxygen to carbon showing its suitability for use as an alternative to conventional petroleum products in engines. The biochar yield was 27%, making it suitable for agriculture as they are rich in nutrients for crops. The esters and ethers in biochar FTIR are visible in the spectrum between 850 and 1120 cm−1. On the other hand, the aromatics group is indicated by the range between 850 and 400 cm−1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Precision Machining Center (PREMACH), Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

    Yashvir Singh

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era Deemed to Be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

    Yashvir Singh

  3. Lead Consultant, Domain Consulting Group (DCG), Energy Utilities and Services, Infosys Limited, Sector-48, Gurgaon, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Deepak Singh

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, India

    Nishant Kumar Singh

  5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, G L Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Abhishek Sharma

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Yashvir Singh: Draft-Writing and Editing; Deepak Singh: Data Collection; Nishant Kumar Singh: Interpretation of Data; Abhishek Sharma: Data Analysis.

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Singh, Y., Singh, D., Singh, N.K. et al. Sustainability of corn based-biomass for production of bio-oil and their characterization through solar thermal energy approach. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 14, 14787–14802 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-03657-w

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