title: Biochar potential evaluation of palm oil wastes through slow pyrolysis: Thermochemical characterization and pyrolytic kinetic studies.
abstract: This research investigated the potential of palm kernel shell (PKS), empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm oil sludge (POS), abundantly available agricultural wastes, as feedstock for biochar production by slow pyrolysis (50mLmin-1N2at 500°C). Various characterization tests were performed to establish the thermochemical properties of the feedstocks and obtained biochars. PKS and EFB had higher lignin, volatiles, carbon and HHV, and lower ash than POS. The thermochemical conversion had enhanced the biofuel quality of PKS-char and EFB-char exhibiting increased HHV (26.18-27.50MJkg-1) and fixed carbon (53.78-59.92%), and decreased moisture (1.03-2.26%). The kinetics of pyrolysis were evaluated by thermogravimetry at different heating rates (10-40°C). The activation energies determined by Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa models were similar, and comparable with literature data. The findings implied that PKS and EFB are very promising sources for biochars synthesis, and the obtained chars possessed significant biofuel potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Xin Jiat
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: lai-yee.lee@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Lai Yee
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Suyin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Suchithra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thangalazhy-Gopakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hoon Kiat
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008031:Lignin; D013818:Thermogravimetry
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D008031:Lignin
keywords: Biochar; Empty fruit bunch; Palm kernel shell; Palm oil sludge; Slow pyrolysis