CHARACTERIZATION OF PYROLYTIC BIOFUEL PREPARED FROM BIOMASS OF Ceiba pentandra and Melicia excelsa

ABSTRACT
Wood wastes residues collected at sawmill along Benin Ilesha express way in Akure Ondo State (Ceiba pentandra, Melicia excelsa and mixture of Ceiba pentandra, and Melicia excelsa) ratio 50:50 were converted to liquid bio-fuel via slow pyrolysis process at three different temperatures, 450° C, 550° C and 650° C. The physical characteristics of the liquid bio-fuel viz; oil yield, volume, density, viscosity, pH were determined. The proximate values of the feedstocks (volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon) were determined. The pyrolytic oil yield for Ceiba pentandra, Melicia excelsa and mixture of Ceiba pentandra, Melicia excelsa ranged from 17.67 % to 46.72 %, 16.33 % to 43.73 % and 16.72 % to 43.96 % respectively. The Mean while, increase in temperature indicates increase in oil yield and decrease in percentage char. The mean value for the charcoal produced ranged from 32.01 % to 47.17 % with Ceiba pentandra species having the highest charcoal produced at 450° C. The highest viscosity (87.08±2.88) was recorded for Melicia excelsa at 650° C. The heating value of the feedstoks used in this study ranged from 3305.59±67 to 33173±34.36 KJ/kg which indicate high heating value as good combustion properties that can guarantee safe handling of the Pyrolytic liquid produced from the feedstocks.