Pyrolysis kinetics and pyrolysate composition analysis of Mesua ferrea L: A non-edible oilseed towards the production of sustainable renewable fuel

The present study on one non-edible oilseed (Mesua ferrea L) employs the pyrolysis process to understand the pyrolysate composition and the thermal degradation behavior of biomass. The physicochemical characterization of whole seed was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis at different heating rates (5, 10, 20, and 40 °C min−1), bomb calorimeter, proximate/ultimate analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of the lignocellulosic compounds. Kinetic analysis of biomass was investigated using iso-conversional models such as Friedman, Kissinger-Akhaira-Sunose, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall, Starink, Distributed Activation Energy model, and Avrami model. Further, composition analysis of the pyrolytic vapor was analyzed using analytical fast pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatogram/mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS) at 400, 500, 600 °C. This study confirmed that alkenes were major pyrolysates, followed by alkanes and esters. The current investigation suggested that Mesua ferrea L whole seed can be converted to valuable chemicals using pyrolysis.