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Utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable energy source for the production of sustainable fuel is of paramount importance. This study focuses on the catalytic co-pyrolysis of Mesua ferrea L. de-oiled cake (MDC) and Garlic husk (GH) as potential feedstocks for bio-fuel production. The pyrolysis experiments were conducted using a semi-batch reactor under inert conditions at temperatures of 500, 550, and 600 °C, with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1, a particle size below 1 mm, and an inert gas flow rate of 80 mL min−1. The findings reveal that temperature significantly influences the yield of pyrolytic products. However, GC-MS analysis detected higher oxygenated compounds in the bio-oil, negatively impacting its heating value. To improve fuel quality, co-pyrolysis with and without a catalyst for a feedstock ratio of 1:1 w/w was performed. Red mud, an alkaline waste mainly composed of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2, is a hazardous environmental concern from aluminum production and is used as a catalyst. The red-mud catalysts reduced oxygen concentration and increased carbon content, acidity, and heating value in the pyrolytic oil. GC-MS analysis of the bio-oil confirmed that using catalysts combined with MDC and GH significantly decreased the concentration of acidic and aromatic compounds, thereby improving the pyrolytic oil's higher heating value (HHV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicochemical characterization and kinetic evaluation of the thermal and co-pyrolysis of groundnut de-oiled cake (GDC) and PET plastic is examined in this present study. A bomb calorimeter, proximate/CHNS analysis, and a thermogravimetric analyzer were used to study the physicochemical characteristics of the biomass and plastic. By using a FTIR analysis, it was found that both samples had distinct functional groups. Iso-conversional models, such as Friedman's, the Kissinger–Akhaira–Sunose, the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, Starink's, and the distributed activation energy models were employed in the calculation of the kinetic parameters. The physicochemical characterization provided valuable insights into the pyrolysis characteristics. The rate at which the feedstock was heated were 10, 20, and 30 °C min−1, and were used to study the thermal breakdown behavior of the GDC and PET by the TGA. The following temperatures are the active pyrolysis zones for the thermal pyrolysis and the co-pyrolysis: for the groundnut de-oiled cake, T = 150–650 °C; for the PET, T = 375–600 °C; and for the co-pyrolysis, T = 175–550 °C. For the thermal pyrolysis (for GDC, E = 127.49 kJ mol−1; PET, E = 201.45 kJ mol−1); and the co-pyrolysis (E = 175.86 kJ mol−1), Kissinger–Akhaira–Sunose revealed low activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]