Open AccessOptimization and Characterization on Elemental and Crystallinity Index of Torrefied Biochar from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of innovative technology and exploring engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2278-3075
DOI - 10.35940/ijitee.l1131.10812s219
Subject(s) - biochar , torrefaction , crystallinity , materials science , hemicellulose , heat of combustion , cellulose , pulp and paper industry , residence time (fluid dynamics) , pyrolysis , waste management , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering , combustion , geotechnical engineering
This research was conducted to optimize the torrefied oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) biochar yield from torrefaction process as an alternative renewable energy sources. The influence of three major torrefaction parameters namely particle size, holding temperature and residence time on calorific values was investigated. By using the response surface method (RSM), Box-Benhken model had been applied for generating shortest experiment run, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) had been utilized for optimization analysis. From ANOVA, the suggested parameters were the torrefaction at 300°C of holding temperature and 90 minutes of residence time in case to obtain the highest calorific value. Characterization of torrefied OPEFB biochar by elemental analyser and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were conducted to support the data. The carbon element in the torrefied OPEFB biochar was increased when the holding temperature and residence time increased while oxygen element amount is decreasing. This is due to decomposition of hemicellulose occurred in this region. For crystallinity index (CrI) by XRD, there was decreasing pattern occurred as the holding temperature and residence time increased from 200 – 300°C and 30 – 90 minutes respectively. This showes that the torrefied OPEFB biochar’s cellulose crystallinity is reduced as the cellulose become completely amorphous.