Pyrolysis of empty oil palm fruit bunches using the quartz fluidised- fixed bed reactor

Abstract

In this study, pyrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) was investigated using a quartz fluidized-fixed bed reactor. The effects of pyrolysis temperatures, particle sizes, heating rates, different oil palm biomass and different type of fluidised beds material on the yields of the products were investigated. The temperature of pyrolysis and heating rate were varied in the range 300-700 ºC and 10-100 ºC min-1 respectively. The particle size was varied in the range of <90, 91-106, 107-125 and 126-250 μm. EFB, trunk, frond and fiber were used to investigate effect of different oil palm biomass on pyrolysis yields. Meanwhile, zircon sand, spent bleaching earth and spent bleaching earth washing with hexane were used to investigate effect of different type of fluidised bed material on pyrolysis yields. The products obtained from pyrolysis of EFB were bio-oil, char and gas. The maximum bio-oil yield was 42.28% obtained at 500 ºC, with a heating rate of 100 ºC min-1 and particle size of 91-106 μm. The maximum product yield of char was 41.56% obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 300 ºC, heating rate of 30 ºC min-1 and particle size of 91 – 106 μm. Meanwhile, the optimum yield of gas was 46.00% could be achieved at the pyrolysis temperature of 700 ºC, heating rate of 30 ºC min-1 and particle size of 91 – 106 μm. The calorific value, total ash, density, total acid, moisture content, pH and elemental analysis of bio-oil were determined. Characterisation of the char includes calorific value, surface area, total volume pore and elemental analysis. The gases detected were carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane and ethylene depending on the pyrolysis temperature.