Pyrolysis of Mango (Mangifera Indica) Shells for Medium-Grade Fuels and Chemicals Production

Abstract

This study uses a fixed-bed reactor to investigate the influence of temperature and time on bio-fuel yields from the pyrolysis of mango (Mangiferaindica) shells. Proximate and ultimate analyses revealed favorable characteristics for biofuel production, including 47.63% volatile matter, 32.44% fixed carbon, 47.19% carbon, and a higher heating value of 20.74 MJ/kg. To optimize yields, the experiment was designed using Design Expert 12.0.1.0 version software, with varied pyrolysis temperatures (300–500°C) and residence times (10–30 minutes). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and statistical modeling that determined the significant effects of these parameters was established, achieving a maximum bio-oil yield of 42.56 wt% at 450°C for 30 minutes. Mango shells demonstrated superior performance with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of 21.70%, 28.70%, and 25.50% compared to existing studies. The findings highlight mango shells' potential as a sustainable feedstock for medium-grade bio-fuel production, offering an effective solution for waste utilization and advancing clean energy technologies.