Pyrolysis yields of tobacco crop residue as a potential alternative fuel source

This study aims to utilize the tobacco crop residue to generate a high economic value for the energy sector. In general notion, tobacco crop is burned as a conventional fuel at low prices; however, in this research, tobacco crop residue was processed through pyrolysis in the form of pyrolysis products (liquid and solid yields) providing a promising alternative fuel fulfilling the standardized fuel properties. The pyrolysis was conducted at a laboratory-scale real pilot plant experiment at a fixed bed reactor and was operated at temperature of around 350 °C to 650 °C for 2 hours to navigate the most optimum product. Further, the products comprising char (solid yield) and tar (liquid yield) were investigated by measuring their properties, which include heating value, flash point, viscosity, density, and char yields' morphology. The measurement results indicated that the heating value of tobacco crop residue from pyrolysis process significantly escalated to 300% compared to that of tobacco crop residue before pyrolysis process. Similarly, several tar properties indicated the liquid fuel standard such as kerosene. Additionally, another product in the form of solid yields is proved to be utilized as a smart material besides having a higher heating value over coal, due to the high-quality carbon specifications. However, further processing is encouraged to navigate the possibility of solid yields into activated carbon.