Kinetic Parameter Estimation and Optimization of Bio-Oil and Phenol Production from Mahogany Wood Via Pyrolysis and Fluid Catalytic Cracking Using gPROMS
Samuel Ekamba1, Uwem Inyang2, Innocent Oboh3, Kingsley Egemba4
1 Engr. Samuel Ekamba, Researcher, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
2Dr. Uwem Inyang, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
3Prof. Innocent Oboh, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
4Dr. Kingsley Egemba, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Manuscript received on 04 December 2025 | Revised Manuscript received on 08 December 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 December 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 December 2025 | PP: 28-33 | Volume-12 Issue-12, December 2025 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijies.A114013010126 | DOI: 10.35940/ijies.A1140.12121225
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The thermochemical conversion of wood waste into high-value biofuels and chemicals for energy use represents a promising approach to clean, sustainable energy. This research investigates the modeling, simulation, and optimization of bio-oil and phenol production from mahogany wood waste (Swietenia macrophylla) using an integrated process approach of fast pyrolysis and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). Kinetic parameters were estimated, and process conditions were optimised using the gPROMS ModelBuilder 4.0 software. The application of a Franz kinetic model during the pyrolysis stage identified an activation energy of 106.7 kJ/mol and a maximum bio-oil yield of 41.98% under optimal conditions of 558.7°C, a residence time of 1.92 s, and a heat capacity of 2.50 kJ/kg·K. The ensuing fluid catalytic cracking stage, developed with a novel nine-lump kinetic model, realised a maximum phenol yield of 37.086% at 595.28°C, a residence time of 2.48 s, a weight hourly space velocity (WSHV) of 16.58 h⁻¹, and a catalyst-to-oil (C/O) ratio of 7.2. A statistical tool, analysis of variance (ANOVA), confirmed the models’ statistical significance, with R² values of 0.9984 for pyrolysis and 0.8926 for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), respectively. Model predictions showed 70.6% accuracy when computed against actual experimental data. These outcomes highlight the efficacy of gPROMS for kinetic modeling and simulation of complex biomass conversion processes.
Keywords: Modelling, Methodology, Bio-Oil, gPROMS, Kinetic
Scope of the Article: Bio-Science & Bio-Technology