Effect of Temperature and Residence Time Torrefaction Palm Kernel Shell On The Calorific Value and Energy Yield

Abstract

Torrefaction was thermochemical processes to make biomass a fuel that had better properties, such as increased carbon content and calorific value. It was a temperature-sensitive process that was effective between 200 °C and 300 °C in an inert environment with a residence time of 20-60 minutes. Palm kernel shell was one of the biomass that has the potential to be used as fuel, where its availability was abundant and has good physical properties. In this study of palm kernel shell torrefaction was carried out from 0.5 cm sieve with three variations in temperature and residence time follows 250 °C - 300 °C and 20-40 minutes. The results obtained were the increase in temperature and holding time causes an increase in the calorific value but relatively on energy yield because of a large mass loss at a temperature of 300 °C. The optimum process for torrefaction of palm kernel shell according to calorific value and energy yield was 275 °C with residence time 20 minutes.