Torrefaction of Oil Palm Fronds (Opf) as a Potential Feedstock for Energy Production Processes

Abstract

Oil palm fronds (OPF) and trunks contribute the highest biomass availability compared with other oil palm wastes. At the moment, they are usually left on the ground around the plantation area to decompose naturally and fertilize the soil. Previous researchers have focused on torrefaction of wood residues and other agricultural biomass with less attention has been paid to the utilization of Malaysia’s biomass such as OPF. Therefore, in this study, torrefaction of OPF was conducted in a tubular reactor at temperatures between 200 and 300 °C and residence time of 30 min. The results reveal an improved heating value as the temperature was increased, from 16.81 to 20.32 MJ/kg after the torrefaction process. The van Krevelen diagram also proved that torrefaction OPF could be classified as an intermediate, between raw OPF and coal. This proves the potential of OPF as one of the alternative feedstocks for energy production process through torrefaction.

Torrefaction of Oil Palm Frond Petiole: Effect of Particle Sizes, Sections and Batches

“…The effect of torrefaction temperature on the torrefied OPF performance seem to be dominant compared to the other parameters. This can be found when the torrefaction temperature is increased, the HHV of torrefied OPF is enhanced (19.3 to 29.22 MJ/kg) [5,6,8,9,12,13,26,27], carbon content (44.5 to 56.68%) [5,7,8]) and fixed carbon content (12.68 to 57.1%) [7,8,13,26,27] of torrefied OPF also increases.…”

“…Several studies have reported that raw OPF can be potentially upgraded to become a promising energy source similar to empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm kernel shell (PKS), and mesocarp fibre (MSF). This is due to its significant amount of carbon content, which typically ranges from 40.30 to 48.43% [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. In the energy production, the amount of energy (known as higher heating value, HHV) that can be produced during the combustion of a fuel is vital [10], along with other requirements such as conversion efficiency, pollutant emissions, etc [11].…”

“…In the energy production, the amount of energy (known as higher heating value, HHV) that can be produced during the combustion of a fuel is vital [10], along with other requirements such as conversion efficiency, pollutant emissions, etc [11]. For the case of raw OPF, its HHV is typically considered low in the range from 16.3 to 18.1 MJ/kg [4][5][6][7][8][9][12][13][14]. Hence, as an effort in enhancing its performance, the pre-treatment such as torrefaction is necessarily suitable.…”

“…The torrefaction of oil palm wastes such as EFB, PKS, and MSF is prominently examined based on various parameters; namely particle sizes, temperatures, and residence times [15,24,25]. In the case of OPF, the effect of torrefaction temperature [4,6,27,[7][8][9][12][13][14]16,26] residence time [8,12] and flow rate of nitrogen gas [14] on the performance of OPF have been reported in several studies. The effect of torrefaction temperature on the torrefied OPF performance seem to be dominant compared to the other parameters.…”

Decomposition of Oil Palm Frond and Leaflet Residues

“…Oil palm frond and trunk contribute the highest biomass availability compared with other oil palm waste (Thaim, Rasid, & Wan Ismail, 2019). Pruning of frond and leaflet has become a necessity and routinely carry out in oil palm plantations to facilitate maintenance and harvesting.…”