In this study, fast pyrolysis of safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was investigated with the aim to study the product distribution and their chemical compositions and to identify optimum process conditions for maximizing the bio-oil yield. Experiments were performed in a well-swept resistively heated fixed-bed reactor under nitrogen atmosphere. The maximum oil yield of 54% was obtained at the final pyrolysis temperature of 600 degrees C, sweeping gas flow rate of 100 cm(3) min(-1) and heating rate of 300 degrees C min(-1) in a fixed-bed reactor. The elemental analysis and calorific value of the bio-oil were determined and compared with diesel fuel and then the chemical composition of the bio-oil was investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (IR, GC/MS, simulated distillation). The char was characterized by elemental, BET surface area and SEM analyses. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.