**2.2. Extraction of the CNS oil**

The pyrolysis of the cashew nut shells was carried out in the pyrolysis reactor designed and fabricated at the Chemical Engineering Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. About 150 g of the ground and dried CNS sample was placed in the reactor and heated. The reactor is connected to a condensing unit which has several condensers in series, in order to effectively recover the exhaust gases. The experimental rig is as shown in figure 6.

experimentation.

**2.2 Extraction of the CNS oil**

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‐Ife. The milled CNS was sieved to obtain a particle size range of 5 mm. The ground sample was stored at 4C in a refrigerator for further

The pyrolysis of the cashew nut shells was carried out in the pyrolysis reactor designed and fabricated at the Chemical Engineering Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‐Ife.

reactor is connected to a condensing unit which has several condensers in series, in order to

effectively recover the exhaust gases. The experimental rig is as shown in figure 6.

Figure 6.The experimental rig set-up. **Figure 6.** The experimental rig set-up.

The temperature of the reactor tank and that of the exhaust gas stream were measured and recorded at regular intervals. The volatiles which condensed at the condensing Unit were collected in several glass bottles. The heating was stopped when no significant changes in temperature and gas condensates was observed. The reactor was then allowed to cool for about 6 h; the ash and char were separated, weighed and recorded. The mass of pyrolysis oil produced was determined by mass balance calculation of the whole recovery system, before The temperature of the reactor tank and that of the exhaust gas stream were measured and recorded at regular intervals. The volatiles which condensed at the condensing Unit were collected in several glass bottles. The heating was stopped when no significant changes in temperature and gas condensates was observed. The reactor was then allowed to cool for about 6 h; the ash and char were separated, weighed and recorded. The mass of pyrolysis oil produced was determined by mass balance calculation of the whole recovery system, before and after the experiment. For the purpose of comparison, 10 g of the CNS sample was extracted by soxhlet extraction using *n*-hexane as a solvent.
