Characterisation of Liquid Derived from Pyrolysis Process of Charcoal Production in South of Thailand

Pyrolysis liquid obtained from local suppliers in Phatthalung Province, Thailand was separated in conventional vacuum distillation into light and heavy fractions. The physiochemical characteristics and thermal behaviour of the fractionated pyrolysis liquid were investigated. It was found that light fraction had higherwater content and stronger acidity than heavy fraction and pyrolysis liquid. The heating value of light fraction was lower than those of the pyrolysis liquid andhea vy fraction. The heating value of heavy portion was almost double that of the light fraction. The thermal behaviours of the pyrolysis liquid and the two fractions were determined. The light fraction had the highest decomposition rate and the lowest residual yield; in contrast to heavy fraction had slow weight loss through a wide range of temperatures and it had the highest residual yield. The chemical composition of the pyrolysis liquid and the two fractionswere analysed by GC-MS. The chemical distribution differed for the fractions and the pyrolysis liquid. The light fraction was dominated by acetic acid and the heavy fraction was mainly composed phenolic compounds.