Transforming Lemongrass and Tagetes Minuta Waste into Valuable Bio-Oil and Biochar

This study converts Lemongrass and Tagetes minuta waste into bio-oil and biochar via slow pyrolysis at 350–500°C. The highest bio-oil yields were 37.3% for Lemongrass and 39% for Tagetes minuta. GC-MS analysis revealed a phenolic-rich composition, useful for industrial applications.

June 15, 2024

1–2 minutes

Kaur, et al (2024)
Comprehensive pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More investigation of Lemongrass and Tagetes minuta residual biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More: bio-oil composition and biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More physicochemical properties. *Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery.* https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05764-2

The essential oil industry generates significant amounts of waste from aroma plants like Lemongrass and Tagetes minuta. A recent study explores converting this waste into useful bio-oil and biochar using a process called slow pyrolysis.

Pyrolysis involves heating organic material in the absence of oxygen, causing it to decompose. This study tested temperatures between 350–500°C with a heating rate of 10°C per minute, in a nitrogen atmosphere.

For Lemongrass, the highest yield of bio-oil (37.3%) and biochar (31.6%) was achieved at 400°C. Tagetes minuta showed a maximum bio-oil yield of 39% and a biochar yield of 27.3% at 450°C. The composition of the bio-oil was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing it to be rich in phenolic compounds, which have numerous industrial applications. Specifically, Lemongrass bio-oil contained 60.27% phenolics, while Tagetes minuta bio-oil had 62.75% at 450°C.

Additionally, flash pyrolysis through Py-GC/MS was performed to understand the breakdown patterns of the biomass at a rapid heating rate of 20°C per millisecond.

This study highlights the potential of converting aroma plant waste into valuable products, contributing to waste management and resource recovery in the essential oil industry.