Kinetic Parameter Estimation and Optimization of Bio-Oil and Phenol Production from Mahogany Wood Via Pyrolysis and Fluid Catalytic Cracking Using gPROMS

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 percent 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 percent 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 percent accuracy when computed against actual experimental data. These outcomes highlight the efficacy of gPROMS for kinetic modeling and simulation of complex biomass conversion processes.