Biochar production investigation from pyrolysis of lamtoro wood as a coal blend for fuel substitution in steam power plants

Abstract

The biochar utilization reduces CO2 emissions. This study aims to investigate the optimum pyrolysis temperature of lamtoro wood (Leucaena leucocephala) to produce suitable biochar for coal blends as fuel in the steam power plant. The experiment was carried out in a batch process, applied to a fixed bed reactor, 10°C/minute heating rate, three different variables temperature (300, 450, 600°C), and 60 minutes residence time. The biochar yield for each pyrolysis temperature is 61.77%, 26.45%, and 24.89%. This shows that the pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of 300 to 450 °C, then ramps up to 600 °C. The volatile matter was released during the pyrolysis and raise the fixed carbon content. The fixed carbon content for each pyrolysis temperature is 26.35%, 61.82%, and 65.66%. Fixed carbon content at 450 and 600 °C identical to bituminous coal. The increase in fixed carbon content in biochar leads the heating value to increase. The heating value of lamtoro wood was 19.15 MJ/kg (db), increasing to 22.92, 28.01, and 29.73 MJ/kg (db) for each pyrolysis temperature. The biochar heating value is close to bituminous coal. The biochar energy content of original lamtoro wood for each pyrolysis temperature is 81.72%, 42.77%, and 42.71%. Biochar reaches its optimal point at pyrolysis temperature 450 °C, which has a yield and heating value almost the same at pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C. The biochar characterization results indicate that it can be used as a coal blend for steam power plants.

Effect of low rank coal temperature and moisture content on slow pyrolysis process

“…The mixture of tar and NCG was known as a volatile matter (VM). VM has high energy content and will be able to utilize further (Nurhadi et al, 2021). The produced char due to its high carbon content can be used for metallurgical purposes (PCI, pulverized coal injection) and also for mercury removal in flue gases (PAC, powdered activated carbon/coke) (Richter et al, 2017).…”

Mapping of lamtoro field in supporting the co-firing of steam power plants program

“…Indonesia is rich of energy sources, such as hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, coal, peat, biomass, biogas, wind, ocean energy, solar, and other sources of alternative energy to diminish dependency of the depleting fuel oil [6]- [10]. The abundant quantity of renewable energy should be managed carefully and prepared as alternative energy [11], to replace and cut down the consumption of fuel oil in Indonesia [12].…”