Bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of rice husk: Yields and related properties and improvement of the pyrolysis system

Rice husk was fast pyrolysed at temperatures between 420 °C and 540 °C in a fluidized bed, and the main product of bio-oil is obtained. The experimental result shows that the highest bio-oil yield of 56 wt% was obtained at 465 °C for rice husk. Chemical composition of bio-oil acquired was analyzed by GC–MS and its heat value, stability, miscibility and corrosion characteristics were determined. These results showed that bio-oil obtained can be directly used as a fuel oil for combustion in a boiler or a furnace without any upgrading. Alternatively, the fuel can be refined to be used by vehicles. Furthermore, the energy performance of the pyrolysis process was analyzed.