Karanja (Pongamia glabra) seeds were pyrolyzed in semi-batch mode at a temperature range of 450-550 degrees C and at a heating rate of 20 degrees C/min. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis of the liquid product indicates the presence of alkanes, alkenes, ketones, carboxylic acids and aromatics rings. GC-MS (Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry) demonstrated the presence of hydrocarbons with between 14 and 31 carbon atoms in a chain. The physical properties of the pyrolysis liquid were close to mixture of diesel and petrol. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.