Bio-oil production by fast pyrolysis of cassava residues in a free-fall reactor using liquid media-assisted condensation

We investigated the influence of liquid media-assisted condensation on the bio-oil yield using biomass derived from cassava rhizomes and stalks in a free-fall reactor. Benzene, diesel, engine lubricant, and ethanol were tested as the liquid medium. Exposure times varied from 60 to 120 min with biomass feed rates from 100 to 250 g/h. Engine lubricant and ethanol tended to decrease biomass yield while increasing gas yield. Benzene and diesel showed slightly increased biomass yield. With benzene, the bio-oil water content (28%) was insignificantly different from that without using any condensation substance. However, with diesel, the water content increased very slightly; with engine lubricant, it decreased to 25%; and with ethanol, it significantly decreased to 12%. Also, using diesel generated higher heating values (30 MJ/kg).