Pyrolysis of empty fruit bunch by thermogravimetric analysis

The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of as received and wet-treated empty fruit bunch (EFB) for bio-oil production via pyrolysis technology. The elemental properties of the feedstock were characterized by an elemental analyzer while thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The pyrolysis process was being carried out at room temperature up to 700 degrees C in the presence of nitrogen gas flowing at 150 ml/min. The investigated parameters are particle sizes and heating rate. The particle sizes varied in the range of dp(1) < 0.25 mm and 0.25 <= dp(2) <0.30 mm. The heating rates used were 50 degrees C/min and 80 degrees C/min. From the results obtain, smaller particle size dp(1) produces 10% less char yields, while higher heating rate of 80 degrees C/min increases rate of decomposition by almost 1 mg/s. Treatment process reduces char yields of dp(2) by a total of 5%. This study can provide an important basis in determining suitable properties of EFB and pyrolysis parameter for bio-fuel production via pyrolysis. Crown Copyright (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.