Properties Of Empty Fruit Bunch Research Articles

Enhancement of the Biofuel Characteristics of Empty Fruit Bunches through Hydrothermal Carbonization by Decreasing the Inorganic Matters

This study explores the effects of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) on the fuel properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB) by varying the reaction temperatures between the range of 180–300 °C. The improved properties of hydrochars following HTC were achieved by analyzing the changes in the physical and chemical properties of EFB. Moreover, it can save energy during treatment processes, in addition to evaluating the improvement of the biofuel stability based on the equilibrium moisture content and agglomeration. The results showed that the chemical structure of EFB decomposed owing to dehydration and decarboxylation reactions, leading to increased carbon and fixed carbon concentrations in the obtained hydrochar; and thus, an increased calorific value. Hydrochar generated during HTC exhibited chemical properties similar to those of conventional coal fuel. The optimal HTC reaction temperature range was ~230–250 °C. Based on the X-ray fluorescence results, hydrochar produced during HTC had smaller K and Cl contents and a smaller degree of agglomeration than the original sample, indicating that clinker production can be reduced by the HTC of EFB. The results of this study have significance in the utilization of unused waste biomass as an energy source that can replace fossil fuels.

The addition of Nigerian Kankara kaolin improves the ash properties of empty fruit bunches during combustion

The addition of Nigerian Kankara kaolin improves the ash properties of empty fruit bunches during combustion

Gold extraction via cyanide leaching using alkaline-based empty fruit bunch activated carbon

This research is carried out to extend the knowledge on the modernized method of modifying the physical and structural properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB), a low-cost, highly accessible and abundant agricultural waste in Malaysia, for gold adsorption process. To complete this aim, EFB was modified by using an alkaline-based chemical to improve the surface area, porosity volume and surface chemistry of sorbents. The structure of the empty fruit bunch is characterized by using characterization techniques such as Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The gold solution was prepared by mixing gold with a sodium cyanide solution to undergo a leaching process for 24 hours. The solution was then used for the adsorption experiment. The performance of the alkaline-based EFB-AC to separate gold from the cyanide leaching solution was further studied on the effect of contact time, pH and agitation rate. The gold adsorption capacity achieved by the alkaline-based EFB-AC was measured by calculating the difference between the initial and final gold concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The maximum gold adsorption capacity findings of contact time, pH, and agitation rate were found to be 2.5 hours, pH of 10 and 60 rpm, respectively. This study reveals that the alkaline-based EFB-AC has the potential to extract gold as an alternative activated carbon in the gold adsorption process.

Effect of Torrefaction Conditions on Physicochemical Properties of Empty Fruit Bunches

Empty fruit bunches (EFB) in current bulky form are low in energy density and highly moist making them unsuitable as a solid fuel. Pre-treatment of EFB via thermochemical process i.e. torrefaction is required in order to improve its energy density via reduction of moisture and oxygen contents, which eventually will lead to an increased calorific value (CV). This study investigated the effects of temperature (225 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C) and retention time (20, 40 and 60 min) on the torrefaction products distribution (solid, liquid and gas) and physicochemical properties including proximate and ultimate (elemental) compositions and energy content of torrefied EFB. The results indicated that an increased temperature and retention time led to lower mass of torrefied EFB yield. The highest yield (90.44%) was attainable after 20 min of torrefaction at the lowest deployed 225 °C. However, the CV of torrefied EFB increased with increasing temperature and retention time, reaching a maximum 25.73 MJ/kg at 300 °C for 60 min, i.e. up to 46% higher than its raw form. The resulting improved physicochemical properties indicated suitability of the torrefied EFB for bioenergy processes such as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis and peptization.

Effect of Ozone Treatment on Properties of Screw Pressed and Non-Screw Pressed Empty Fruit Bunch Medium Density Particleboard

This study was done to investigate the effects of ozone treatment as a method to improve the properties of empty fruit bunch (EFB) medium density particleboard. Two types of EFB were used in this study i.e. screw pressed and non-screw pressed empty fruit bunch. These EFB were treated in an ozone chamber for 8 hours prior to particleboard manufacturing. The mechanical properties, Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding (IB) and physical properties, water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS) of EFB particleboard were determined. The results showed that the ozone treatment could increase the MOR and IB values of EFB particleboard, but had no significant effect on MOE values. For physical properties, the values showed no improvement for TS and WA. The panels manufactured using ozone treatment was found suitable for applications for furniture products.

Effect of Fluidization Number on the Combustion of Empty Fruit Bunch in a Fluidized Bed

The effect of fluidization number on the sustainability of fluidized bed combustion of empty fruit bunch was investigated. Proximate and ultimate analyses were conducted to determine the physical and chemical properties of empty fruit bunch. Sand mean particle size was determined at 0.34 mm and the sand bed height was set at 1 Dc which is equivalent to the diameter of the reactor. Combustion study was carried out in a circular reactor of 0.21 m diameter and operated at stoichiometric condition (Air Factor = 1). The range of fluidization numbers under investigation was from 3 to 8 Umf. The fluidized bed operated in a bubbling mode at operating temperature at about 700°C. Results showed that the most optimum fluidization number was 5 Umf being the most optimum with respect to the sustainability of the bed temperature.

Preparation and characterisation of polyvinyl alcohol/oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre composite

This paper focusses on the effect of thermal ageing and mechanical properties of empty fruit bunch filled polyvinyl alcohol composites. A composite plate with various volume fractions from 0·5 to 3 wt-% of empty fruit bunch was fabricated. The composites were created by a casting evaporation technique. Generally, there appears to be intimate contact between empty fruit bunch fibre and polyvinyl alcohol. In composites with higher fibre content, there is a greater tendency for filler interaction to take place. The results showed that the addition of 1 wt-% of empty fruit bunch fibre increased the tensile strength and modulus of the polyvinyl alcohol/empty fruit bunch fibre composite. There was a further increase in the mechanical properties of all the samples after thermal ageing at 50°C for 6 hours.

Effects of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical properties of empty fruit bunch and rice husk biochars

Biochar has received great attention recently due to its potential to improve soil fertility and immobilize contaminants as well as serving as a way of carbon sequestration and therefore a possible carbon sink. In this work, a series of biochars were produced from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and rice husk (RH) by slow pyrolysis at different temperatures (350, 500, and 650°C) and their physicochemical properties were analysed. The results indicate that porosity, ash content, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH value of both EFB and RH biochars were increased with temperature; however, yield, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and H, C, and N content were decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The Fourier transform IR spectra were similar for both RH and EFB biochars but the functional groups were more distinct in the EFB biochar spectra. There were reductions in the amount of functional groups as pyrolysis temperature increased especially for the EFB biochar. However, total acidity of the functional groups increased with pyrolysis temperature for both biochars.

Thermogravimetric Analysis of the Fuel Properties of Empty Fruit Bunch Briquettes

The thermochemical properties of biomass are largely influenced by the nature, yield and composition of the feedstock. In addition, the low moisture content, energy density and solid uniform structure of briquettes have been reported to improve heat and mass transfer during thermochemical conversion. Hence, this study is aimed at investigating the thermochemical properties of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) briquettes using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The heating value (HHV), ultimate and proximate analysis was determined using standard ASTM techniques. Consequently, the thermal decomposition behavior of the fuel was determined by heating the sample from 50°C to 900°C in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at 10°C per min heating rate. The ultimate and proximate analysis revealed that EFB briquette contains low moisture content, ash content and high fixed carbon, volatile matter content while the HHV was 17.57 MJ/kg. In addition, TGA results indicated thermal decomposition of the fuel occurs in four stages. Devolatization commenced at 206°C with a peak devolatization temperature (Tmax) of 325°C resulting in 70% weight loss.

Comparative Analysis of the Calorific Fuel Properties of Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber and Briquette

This study was aimed at investigating the calorific fuel properties of Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) fiber and briquette. Thermal analysis was carried out in the temperature range 30oC to 500oC at 10oC/min heating rate to determine the calorific requirement, Q and specific heat capacity, Cp,b of the EFB fuels. Calorific requirement is the total amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the feedstock to the pyrolysis peak temperature and complete the reaction. The calorific requirement for EFB and briquette was 1101.64J/g (Cp,b = 1482.69J/kg K) and 1080.60J/g (Cp,b =1454.36J/kg K) respectively, with the peak temperature of 350oC observed for EFB pyrolysis and 344oC for briquette. It was observed that physical and chemical properties such as moisture content and binder effects influenced the heating rate and heating profile of the fuels. Briquette pyrolysis was more efficient due to lower moisture content, calorific requirement and specific heat capacity. In comparison, EFB pyrolysis showed a lower ignition temperature and the tendency to yield more pyrolysis products.

Effects of torrefaction on the physiochemical properties of oil palm empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber and kernel shell

In this work, the effects of torrefaction on the physiochemical properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm mesocarp fiber (PMF) and palm kernel shell (PKS) are investigated. The change of properties of these biomass residues such as CHNS mass fraction, gross calorific value (GCV), mass and energy yields and surface structure when subjected to torrefaction process are studied. In this work, these materials with particle size in the range of 355–500 μm are torrefied under light torrefaction conditions (200, 220 and 240 °C) and severe torrefaction conditions (260, 280 and 300 °C). TGA is used to monitor the mass loss during torrefaction while tube furnace is used to produce significant amount of products for chemical analyses. In general, the study reveals torrefaction process of palm oil biomass can be divided into two main stages through the observation on the mass loss distribution. The first stage is the dehydration process at the temperature below than 105 °C where the mass loss is in the range of 3–5%. In the second stage, the decomposition reaction takes place at temperature of 200–300 °C. Furthermore, the study reveals that carbon mass fraction and gross calorific value (GCV) increase with the increase of torrefaction temperature but the O/C ratio, hydrogen and oxygen mass fractions decrease for all biomass. Among the biomass, torrefied PKS has the highest carbon mass fraction of 55.6% when torrefied at 300 °C while PMF has the highest GCV of 23.73 MJ kg−1 when torrefied at the same temperature. Both EFB and PMF produce lower mass fraction than PKS when subjected to same torrefaction temperature. In terms of energy yield, PKS produces 86–92% yield when torrefied at light to severe torrefaction conditions, until 280 °C. However, both EFB and PMF only produce 70–78% yield at light torrefaction conditions, until 240 °C. Overall, the mass loss of 45–55% of these biomasses is observed when subjected to torrefaction process. Moreover, SEM images reveal that torrefaction has more severe impact on surface structure of EFB and PMF than that of PKS especially under severe torrefaction conditions. The study concludes that the torrefaction process of these biomass has to be optimized based on the type of the biomass in order to offset the mass loss of these materials through the process and increase the energy value of the solid product.

Synthetic indicator on the severity of torrefaction of oil palm biomass residues through mass loss measurement

In this work, the change of properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB), mesocarp fiber (PMF) and kernel shell (PKS) of oil palm when subjected to torrefaction process is reported. The properties include CHNS content, gross calorific value (GCV), mass and energy yields. These oil palm residues are torrefied at 200, 220 and 240, 260, 280 and 300°C, respectively for duration of 2h. In general, it has been found that the GCV and carbon content increase with the increase of torrefaction temperature but the O/C ratio, H and O content decrease for all residues. Also, we have shown that there are linear relationships between the mass loss with GCV and C content suggesting that it can be used as an indicator to monitor the severity of torrefaction process on these oil palm residues.

Degradation, mechanico-physical, and morphological properties of empty fruit bunch reinforced polyester composites

This research aims to study the effects of degradation on mechanical, physical, and morphological properties of empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber- reinforced polyester composites. The unsaturated polyester resin has been used to produce thermoset polymer composites. The reinforcing effect in composites was evaluated at various fiber loadings, including an overall fiber content (by weight) of 20% and 40%. The mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact) and physical (density, moisture content, and water absorption) properties were studied before and after the samples were buried in the soil for period of 12 months. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was conducted to visualize the effect of the quality of adhesion between the fibers and matrix. The soil burial investigation results revealed that EFB fiber-polyester composites showed highest degradation percentage as compared to polyester resin and fiberglass.