Grant: Engage Grants Program

Natures Crops International manufactures specialty oils for dietary supplements, food and personal careproducts. Oils are derived from the crops grown by contract growers and produced to the highest specifications.While oil is being extracted, a solid by-product is produced called oil meals. The annual production of oilmeals is estimated to be 825 tones. The meal is rich in protein and is currently used as a fuel for heating a localgreenhouse. The meal is also approved for use as a dietary protein for the cattle at a very small portion.However, the presence of glucosinolates in the meal makes it less suitable for long-term use as an animal feed.Previous studies has shown that pyrolysing the meal can produce a solid biochar which has application in soilremediation, production of activated char and even in making biocomposities along with using it as a fuelsource for generating heat/electricity. As a by-product of pyrolysis process, a high energy density bio-oil isproduced, which could be a source of useful chemicals. The low heating value gas produced could provide heatneeded for the process to make the system auto-thermal. However, the yield and the composition of the productfrom pyrolysis vary with the type of oil seed meals. Therefore, the objective of the proposed research is toinvestigate the pyrolysis of oil cakes at various temperature (350 C - 550 C) and characterize the products. Theresearch findings will help the industry to find a sustainable solution for their solid waste management.