IMPROVING LIQUID SMOKE YIELD FROMCOCONUTSHELLS VIA MICROWAVE-ASSISTED PYROLYSISWITHSELECTED CARBON ABSORBENTS

The growing concern about the safety of synthetic preservatives has led to a greater demand for natural options, suchas liquid smoke. This research investigates the generation of liquid smoke from coconut shells through microwave- assisted pyrolysis. The focus is specifically on the effects of different carbon absorbents under various operatingconditions on the process. Activated charcoal, biochar, and regular charcoal were used. Temperatures of 180, 230, and 280°C, particle sizes of 1, 2, and 3 mm, and heating durations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes were all predetermined. The results of this study found that activated charcoal was the most effective absorber, reaching114.67% efficiency at 3 mm. The yield of liquid fumes was greatly influenced by temperature and particle size. At 180℃, 2 mm particles gave the highest yield (23.99%), while at 230 and 280℃, 3 mm particles gave better results(30.43% and 34.40%). Overall, the best yield was 31.13% achieved at 255℃, particle size of 2.8 mm, and 28.7minheating. These results show that choosing the right carbon absorbent and setting the operating conditions reallymatter for making good liquid smoke with microwave-assisted pyrolysis.