Torrefaction of Pelletized Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

TL;DR

This study investigates how torrefaction at different temperatures affects the fuel properties of pelletized oil palm EFB briquettes, showing significant improvements in heating value and potential for thermal energy applications.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of pelletization and torrefaction on EFB briquettes' fuel properties, highlighting their potential as solid biofuels.

Findings

Heating value increased from 17.57 to 26.24 MJ/kg after torrefaction.

Mass yield decreased from 79.70% to 43.03% with temperature.

Energy yield decreased from 89.44% to 64.27%.

Abstract

The torrefaction of oil palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) briquettes was examined in this study. The results indicate that temperature significantly influenced the mass yield, energy yield and heating value of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) briquettes during torrefaction. The solid uniform compact nature of EFB briquettes ensured a slow rate of pyrolysis or devolatization which enhanced torrefaction. The mass yield decreased from 79.70 % to 43.03 %, energy yield from 89.44 % to 64.27 % during torrefaction from 250 {\deg}C to 300 {\deg}C. The heating value (HHV) of OPEFB briquettes improved significantly from 17.57 MJ/kg to 26.24 MJ/kg after torrefaction at 300 {\deg}C for 1 hour. Fundamentally, the study has highlighted the effects of pelletization and torrefaction on solid fuel properties of oil palm EFB briquettes and its potential as a solid fuel for future thermal applications.