Thermal Transformation of Palm Waste to High-Quality Hydrocarbon Fuel

Chai Kuan,Mark Neng,Joel Strothers,Yu-Bin Chan,Lawrence Pratt,Yoke-Leng Sim

doi:10.3390/fuels1010002

Chai Kuan, Mark Neng + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels1010002

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Abstract

Empty fruit bunches (EFB) are waste products in the palm oil industry. Upon pressing of EFB, a liquor is produced which contains low grade fats, oils, and greases (FOG). These are the least valuable products of palm oil production, and are often discarded as waste. It is shown here that the EFB pressed liquor can be thermally transformed at or below 350 °C to produce a series of hydrocarbons in the range of kerosene and diesel fuel. This is distinctly different from other studies of biofuels from palm oil, which were based entirely on biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)) and biogas production. Furthermore, this transformation takes place without addition of an external catalyst, as was shown by comparison to reactions with the potential Lewis acid catalysts, ferric sulfate, and molecular sieves. The product distribution is similar to that obtained from brown grease, another waste FOG stream obtained from the sewage treatment industry, although the products from palm oil waste are less sensitive to reaction conditions.

Highlights

Palm oil waste products have been used for fuel production, they have previously been used entirely for biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)) or biogas [1]
FOG from empty fruit bunches (EFB) pressed liquor are a potential source of hydrocarbons in the kerosene and diesel
FOG from pressed liquor are a potential source of hydrocarbons in theas kerosene andbelow, diesel fuel range

Summary

Introduction

Palm oil waste products have been used for fuel production, they have previously been used entirely for biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)) or biogas [1]. To our knowledge, this is the first time that thermal transformation of this waste material has been used to make a mixture of hydrocarbons in the diesel fuel, gas oil, or jet fuel boiling point range. Diesel fuel consists primarily of hydrocarbons in the 10–19 carbon chain range. It is typically about 64% aliphatic hydrocarbons, about 1–2% olefins, and up to 35% aromatic compounds. Hydrocarbon fuels are superior to biodiesel in some applications, and the two are often blended to obtain the optimal properties and cost

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