Researchers at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) in Indonesia have developed a pyrolysis method that transforms agricultural and organic waste into bio-oil, presenting a renewable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The process, led by Professor Dewi Selvia Fardhanti, was recently featured on UNNES TV, highlighting its potential to harness Indonesia’s abundant biomass such as sawdust and rice straw.
“Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process carried out in the absence of oxygen,” Professor Dewi explained. “Through fast heating at temperatures between 450°C and 600°C, we can achieve bio-oil yields ranging from 44% to over 56% by weight, depending on the biomass type and particle size.”
The pilot experiments demonstrated that optimized conditions could increase bio-oil yields to nearly 69% for certain feedstocks. Besides bio-oil, the process also generates syngas and biochar, which have applications in power generation and soil enhancement. Analytical techniques including GC-MS and FT-IR identified key chemical compounds in the bio-oil such as phenolics, acids, ketones, alcohols, and esters. However, challenges remain regarding the fuel’s high viscosity, acidity, and chemical instability.
Despite technical hurdles, the environmental benefits of substituting fossil fuels with biomass-derived bio-oil are significant. The approach offers a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create economic value from agricultural waste that is often burned or discarded.
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“Our aim is to scale this from the laboratory to industrial applications,” Professor Dewi said. “We envision bio-oil as part of a broader renewable energy strategy that supports both environmental sustainability and rural economic development.”
With Indonesia’s energy demand expected to grow, such innovations may help the country meet renewable energy goals. UNNES researchers are seeking partnerships with industry and local governments to advance the technology toward commercial use, underscoring the role of homegrown solutions in addressing climate and energy challenges.
Resources:
- Fardhyanti, D. S., Triwibowo, B., Istanto, H., Anajib, M. K., Larasati, A., & Oktaviani, W. (2018). Liquid phase equilibrium of phenol extraction from bio-oil produced by biomass pyrolysis using thermodynamic models. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 27(2), 391–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2018.08.011
