Olive residues (cuttings and kernels) rapid pyrolysis product yields and kinetics

A study of pyrolysis of olive residues (cuttings and kernels) at a temperature range from 300 to 600°C, has been carried out. The experiments were performed in a captive sample reactor at atmospheric pressure under helium. The yields of the derived gases, pyrolytic liquids and char were determined in relation to pyrolysis temperature, at heating rates of about 200°C/s. As the pyrolysis temperature was increased the percentage mass of char decreased whilst gas and oil products increased. The oil products increased to a maximum value of 30 wt% of dry biomass at about 450–550°C. The major gaseous products are CO and CO2. A simple first order kinetic model has been applied to the evolution of total losses and gases. Kinetic parameters have been estimated and compared with other reported similar data.