Simulation Analysis of the Pyrolysis Process for the Production of Syngas from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Fiber

Abstract

There have been many efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using renewable energy (solar energy, wind energy, water energy, and energy obtained from biomass) as a substitute for fossil fuels. As one of the largest CPO producers globally, Indonesia produces 4 kilograms of dry biomass for every 1 kilogram of oil palm produced. The biomass conversion process into synthetic gas (syngas) can be carried out using the pyrolysis process. The syngas can be used as an alternative fuel for an internal combustion engine. This study aims to simulate the pyrolysis process to obtain syngas’ characteristics made from oil palm empty bunches (EFBs) and palm fiber. Around 4 kg EFB and 2 kg of fiber are used as pyrolysis raw materials. The Aspen Plus simulation was used to design and analyzed the pyrolysis flow processes. The results showed that the hot syngas produced at a working temperature of 450°C to 650°C was 1.475 kg/hr to 1.587 kg/hr. The cold syngas produced is 0.969 kg/hr to 1.407 kg/hr. The heating value of hot syngas is 10,348 kJ/kg to 14,213.55 kJ/kg, and cold syngas is 15,751.51 kJ/kg to 16,022.7 kJ/kg. Change in syngas composition between hot and cold syngas is due to the condensation process. The minimum condenser area required to produce cold syngas for 6 kg and 500 kg biomass pyrolysis raw material are 25.5 m2 and 632.2 m2, respectively.