Pyrolysis sengon (Paraserianthe falcatari) as a renewable energy potential

Abstract

Pyrolysis is the process of decomposition of materials at high temperatures by producing products of char, tar, and gas. Analysis of the characteristics of pyrolysis combustion with thermogravimetry is needed to determine the thermal decomposition behavior of the material. Treatment of sengon waste with pyrolysis can be used as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source. Variations in the final temperature and heating rate are required to determine the optimum conditions of pyrolysis. The final temperature variations were performed at 350°C, 450°C, 550°C, and 600°C, while variations in heating rates at 10°C/min, 30°C/min and 60°C/min each performed at a holding time of 5 minutes. The results showed that the char mass decreased with increasing the final temperature, but increased with the increase of heating rate. The activation energy increases with increasing final temperature and heating rate. While the highest calorific value obtained on tar products amounted to 10365.911 cal/g at the final temperature 450°C and heating rate 30°C/minute. The resulting calorific value is not much different from the solar calorific value indicating that this sengon sawdust waste can be used as a renewable liquid fuel.