Cashew nut shell (CNS) has been studied for the product distribution in a packed bed vacuum pyrolysis unit. The effect of pyrolysis temperatures on the product yields is also studied. The oil-to-liquid ratio in the pyrolysis products was found to remain almost constant in the range between 400degreesC and 550degreesC. The properties of CNS oil has been found to be amazingly near to that of petroleum fuels with calorific value as high as 40 MJ kg(-1), the oil has a low ash content (0.01%) and water content is limited to 3-3.5 wt% of oil. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.