Characterization of Fe2O3/FeOOH Catalyzed Solvolytic Liquefaction of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Products

Abstract

The addition of Fe2O3/FeOOH nanoparticles as a catalyst in solvolytic liquefaction of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) could be cheaper and efficient alternative for biomass industry in Malaysia. Fe2O3/FeOOH can be found naturally in limonite ores and it is cheap, but work efficiently in catalyzing liquefaction. The purpose of this study is to understand the effects on the combination of Fe2O3/FeOOH, as the catalyst in solvolytic liquefaction of EFB. Solvolytic liquefaction of EFB fiber, with and without Fe2O3/FeOOH, was carried out in the nitrogen gas atmosphere using an autoclave. This liquefaction mainly yielded solvolytic oil, n-hexane insoluble preasphaltene and asphaltene phase (PA+A), and solid residue. The presence of catalyst has significantly increased the liquefaction yield and solvolytic oil fraction. Chemical elemental analysis has showed that the products with lower oxygen content are obtained when Fe2O3/FeOOH is used. FT-IR spectroscopy proved that the conversion of the higher molecular compound to the lower molecular compounds with larger number of functional groups has occurred. The analytical Pyrolysis-GCMS revealed the existence of lower molecular weight alcohols, ketones, phenolic and aromatic compounds.