Separation and extensive evaluation of properties of fuel and non-fuel portions of pyrolytic bio-oil obtained from Erythrina indica biomass.

This article focuses on the pyrolytic conversion of Erythrina indica (EI) biomass to produce biofuels and characterizes the resulting products. Pyrolysis at 600 °C under inert conditions yielded approximately 26.9 wt.% bio-oil, 42.9 wt.% biochar, and 30.3 wt.% non-condensable gases. The study investigated fuel phase separation from bio-oil using two solvents, dichloromethane (DCM) and n-hexane, finding that n-hexane, especially at 30–40 vol.%, produced a fuel phase with physiochemical properties (density, viscosity, calorific value) comparable to conventional gasoline. Characterization techniques including FTIR, 1H NMR, and GC–MS revealed the presence of aliphatics, ketones, aromatics, and other hydrocarbons in the fuel phase, with major compounds such as Phenol, 2-methoxy- and Furan, 2-methoxy-. The biochar exhibited properties similar to conventional coal, and the non-condensable gases contained 16.8 vol.% hydrogen, indicating potential as a green hydrogen source. The study concludes that EI biomass is a viable feedstock for producing biofuels and biochar with promising fuel qualities and applications.