Pyrolysis of papaya peels and cultivated banana peels

Abstract

Household fruit peels i.e. papaya peels and cultivated banana peels were pyrolysed to convert into valued products and to lower environmental impact from these materials. The pyrolyses were conducted using 1 L metal reactor at 400, 500 and 600􀁱C. It was found that the papaya peels gave higher amounts of bio-oil than the cultivated banana peels at every temperature. Nevertheless, the obtained bio-oils from the banana peels had a better physical appearance, suitable for practical used. The cultivated banana bio-oil had a pH value of 4 and a heating value of 31.46 MJ/kg and, which is lower than that of the standard petroleum oil but higher than those of the other biomass previously studied. Therefore, for practical use the obtained bio-oil needs to be improved through some processes e.g. deoxygenation.