DECLARATION ii
CERTIFICATION iii
DEDICATION iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
ABSTRACT vi
LIST OF FIGURES xi
LIST OF TABLES xiii
LIST OF PLATE xiv
LIST OF APPENDICES xv
NOMENCLATURE xvi

Chapter ONE

: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem 2
1.3 The Present Research 3
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Research 3
1.5 Justification of the Study 3
1.6 The Scope of the Research 4

Chapter TWO

: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 History of Pyrolysis 5
2.2 Principle of Pyrolysis 5
2.2.1 Slow Pyrolysis 7
2.2.2 Fast Pyrolysis 8
2.2.3 Flash Pyrolysis 9
2.3 Pyrolysis Reactor 9
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2.3.1 Fixed Bed Reactor 10
2.3.2 Fluidized Bed Reactor 11
2.3.2.1 Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactor 11
2.3.2.2 Circulating Fluidized Bed Reactor 12
2.3.3 Ablative Reactor 13
2.3.4 Vacuum Pyrolysis Reactor 14
2.3.5 Rotating Cone Reactor 15
2.3.6 Pyros Reactor 16
2.3.7 Auger Reactor 17
2.3.8 Plasma Reactor 18
2.3.9 Microwave Reactor 19
2.3.10 Solar Reactor 20
2.4 Factors Affecting Pyrolysis of Biomass 21
2.4.1 Feedstock Composition 22
2.4.2 Feedstock Preparation 23
2.4.3 Pyrolysis Temperature Control 24
2.4.4 Residence Time 26
2.4.5 Moisture Content 26
2.5 Biomass 27
2.5.1 Biomass Conversion Technology 28
2.5.2 Feed stock/ material background 29
2.6 Fourier Transform infra-red (FTIR) 30
2.7 Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) 30
2.8 Review of related past works 31
2.9 Research gap 34
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Chapter THREE

: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials 35
3.1.1 List of Materials 35
3.2 Methods 36
3.2.1 Description of the fixed pyrolysis system 36
3.2.2 Design Theory and Equation 37
3.2.2.1Initial design parameters 37
3.2.2.2 Stresses in the fixed bed reactor 38
3.2.2.3 Reactor Thickness 39
3.2.2.4 Insulation 39
3.2.2.4.1Insulation Thickness 39
3.2.2.5 Design of the Reactor 42
3.2.2.6 Design of the Condenser 45
3.2.2.7 Design calculation of the fixed bed pyrolysis system 48
3.2.3 Construction of the fixed bed pyrolysis system 51
3.2.4 Assembly of the pyrolysis system 53
3.2.5 Experimental procedure 55
3.2.5.1 Preparation of Feedstock 55
3.2.5.2 Operational procedures of the fixed bed pyrolysis system 55
3.2.6 Characterization of Palm kernel Shells (PKS) 56
3.2.6.1 Proximate analysis of PKS 56
3.2.6.2 Ultimate analysis of palm kernel shell 57
3.2.6.3 Determination of the calorific value of the palm kernel shell 57
3.2.7 Performance evaluation of the fixed bed pyrolysis system 58
3.2.8 Effect of pyrolysis parameters 59
3.2.8.1 Effect of particle size 59
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3.2.8.2 Effect of temperature 59
3.2.8.3 Effect of running time 59
3.2.9 Characterization of bio-oil 59
3.2.9.1 Ultimate analysis of the bio-oil 60
3.2.9.2 Determination of the calorific value of the bio-oil 60
3.2.9.3 Fourier Transform infra-red (FTIR) 60
3.2.9.4 Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) 60

Chapter FOUR

: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Characterization of palm kernel shells (PKS) 62
4.2 Variation of pyrolysis parameters 63
4.2.1 Effect of Particle Size 63
4.2.2 Effect of Temperature 65
4.2.3 Effect of Running time 67
4.3 Performance evaluation of the fixed bed pyrolysis system 68
4.4 Characterization of bio-oil product 69
4.4.1 Ultimate analysis of the bio-oil 69
4.4.2 FTIR analysis of bio-oil 69
4.4.3 GCMS analysis of the Bio-oil 70
4.5 Cost Estimate 72

Chapter FIVE

: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions 74
5.2 Recommendations 75
5.3 Significant Contributions 75
REFRENCES 77
APPENDICES 86
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