Investigation of the effects of variable parameters on bio-oil yield and phenol content in co-pyrolysis of rice husk and poppy capsule pulp

In this study, co-pyrolysis of rice husk, a potential energy source and valuable by-product, and poppy capsule pulp, the main waste product of the Afyon Alkaloid Factory, were carried out under different reaction conditions. In order to improve the properties of bio-oil, catalyst use and torrefaction methods were applied. The effects of different reaction parameters on bio-oil yield and components in bio-oil were investigated. The organic components in bio-oils were determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the functional groups in bio-oils were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the composition of the bio oils were determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) Spectroscopy analysis. According to GC-MS analysis the most common chemical compounds in all bio-oils were phenols, acids and ketones. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained with the co-pyrolysis of biomass source containing 75% rice husk and 25% poppy capsule pulp and 3% by weight H-β zeolite at 550°C. The highest phenol content was obtained by co-pyrolysis at 550°C after torrefaction at 250°C of the biomass source containing 75% rice husk and 25% poppy capsule pulp. It has been determined that the use of catalyst and torrefaction increase the stability of the bio-oil and reduce its acidity. As a result of the study, it has been shown that the use of catalyst and torrefaction applications are potential methods for improving the properties of bio-oil. Moreover, the obtained bio-oil was used as a binder in the production of MgO-C refractory bricks instead of phenol formaldehyde resin. Physical, mechanical and thermal shock tests were applied to refractory materials and it was observed that the thermal shock resistance of the material increased.