RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 21 (2) December 2009, p. 653-658

OPTIMIZATION OF PYROLYSIS OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES

MOHAMAD AZRI Sukiran * ; NOR KARTINI Abu Bakar ** ; CHOW Mee Chin *

ABSTRACT

In this study, pyrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) was investigated using a quartz fluidizedfixed bed reactor. The effects of various pyrolysis temperatures, particle sizes and heating rates on the yields of the products were investigated. The temperature of pyrolysis and heating rate were varied in the range of 300ºC-700ºC and 10ºC-100ºC min-1, respectively. The particle size was varied in the range of <90, 91-106, 107-125 and 126-250 μm. The products obtained from pyrolysis of EFB were bio-oil, char and gas. Under the experimental conditions, the maximum bio-oil yield was 42% obtained at 500ºC, with a heating rate of 100ºC min-1 and a particle size of 91-106 μm. The maximum yield of char was 42%, obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 300ºC, heating rate of 30ºC min-1 and particle size of 91-106 μm. Meanwhile, the optimum yield of gas was 46%, which could be achieved at a pyrolysis temperature of 700ºC, heating rate of 30ºC min-1 and particle size of 107-125 μm.

KEYWORDS:


* Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
P. O. Box 10620,
50720 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
E-mail: azri@mpob.gov.my

** University of Malaya,
Department of Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, Lembah Pantai,
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.