Thermochemical Characterization of Oil Palm Fronds, Coconut Shells, and Wood as A Fuel For Heat and Power Generation

N. Zainuddin,Muhammad Yasin Naz,Muddasser Inayat,N. Sa'ad,S.A. Abdul Karim,M.H. Yusof,Shaharin A. Sulaiman

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201822501008

N. Zainuddin, Muhammad Yasin Naz + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201822501008

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Abstract

This study investigated the thermochemical characterization of oil palm fronds (OPF), coconut shells (CS) and wood for their use as a solid fuel for thermal conversion processes. The ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, calorific values, and elemental contents through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of OPF, CS, and wood samples were measured. The results of OPF and CS were compared with wood considered as benchmark solid fuel. Proximate analysis was performed as per ASTM standard procedure in a muffle furnace and used thermos-gravimetric analysis technique. The ultimate analysis was used to determine the weight percentage of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen in CHNS analyzer. Elements analysis was done using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The ultimate analysis results show carbon content was higher in CS as compared to OPF and wood. The hydrogen content was higher in OPF. Proximate analysis results revealed that volatile matter was higher in wood, whereas fixed carbon and higher heating value were found higher in CS while ash content was lower in CS. From EDX results found that the OPF has Al, Si, Cl, and K, while, in wood and CS these elements are absent. The thermochemical characterization results of OPF and CS were comparable with the wood. Therefore, it concluded that OPF and CS have the potential to be used as renewable energy source by using appropriate energy conversion technologies, such as gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction.

Highlights

World’s industrial and commercial activities result in a rapid increase in energy demand day by day, limited fossil fuels resources, and their high rate of pollutant emissions are serious problems of the 21st century [1, 2]
Thermochemical properties of oil palm fronds, coconut shells, and wood examined, and results of oil palm fronds and coconut shells are compared with wood considered it as a benchmark biomass, for various thermal conversion process such as pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification and as well as for general incineration purposes
Coconut shells for the present study were collected from grocery stores nearby Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Summary

Introduction

World’s industrial and commercial activities result in a rapid increase in energy demand day by day, limited fossil fuels resources, and their high rate of pollutant emissions are serious problems of the 21st century [1, 2]. Palm oil wastes contribute the largest source of biomass in Malaysia with approximate 4.5 million hectares plantation area at 5% annual growth [6]. Coconut husk (0.166 Mton), coconut shell (0.735 Mton), coconut frond (0.103 Mton) and coconut empty bunches (0.022 Mton) are obtained as a byproducts [9] These potential biomasses can be utilized for heat and power generation via different thermochemical process. Another big source of biomass supply in Malaysia is forest and timber processing factories. The wood base lignocellulosic biomass materials are considered as a potential source of energy in the Malaysian context, which could be exploited by thermochemical conversion process [9]. Thermochemical properties of oil palm fronds, coconut shells, and wood examined, and results of oil palm fronds and coconut shells are compared with wood considered it as a benchmark biomass, for various thermal conversion process such as pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification and as well as for general incineration purposes

Collection and preparation of feedstock

Characterization results of biomass feedstock

Ultimate analysis

Proximate analysis

Elemental analysis

Findings

Conclusions