Conversion of Olive Husk to Liquid Fuel by Pyrolysis and Catalytic Liquefaction

Abstract

Thermochemical conversion processes, including mainly pyrolysis and liquefaction, were applied noncatalytically and catalytically to obtain the maximum fuels from olive husk wastes. Alkali catalysts, such as NaOH, KOH, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₂ , and Na₂C₂O₄, were used in catalytic liquefaction experiments. The pyrolysis was applied within 600-850 K and the liquefaction experiments were performed within the range 425-625 K. The maximum yields of liquid products were 40.4% from pyrolysis and 85% from KOH catalytic (1 / 1, w / w) liquefaction runs at 575 K.