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Experimental and modelling study of the torrefaction of empty fruit bunches as a potential fuel for palm oil mill boilers

delete2020-05-01
delete28
PRE
AI
M
Mohamad Azri Sukiran
F
Faisal Abnisa *
S
S. Syafiie
W
Wan Mohd Ashri Wan Daud *
A
Abu Bakar Nasrin
A
Astimar Abdul Aziz
S
Soh Kheang Loh
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2020.105530delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Empty fruit bunches (EFBs) in the current bulky form are low in energy density and highly moist making them an unattractive option as a solid fuel for producing steam and electricity in palm oil mill biomass boilers. Pretreatment of EFBs using torrefaction is required in order to improve its energy density via reduction of moisture and oxygen contents, which eventually will lead to an increased high heating value (HHV). In this study, the experiments were conducted in a fixed bed reactor at different feedstock moisture contents (10-67 wt%), residence times (30 and 60 min), and a torrefaction temperature of 270 degrees C. The distribution of torrefaction products, structural and fuel properties of the torrefied EFBs were investigated with multiple techniques. The results showed that the decrease in the moisture content of feedstock led to a significant increase in the yield of torrefied EFBs. The decrease in moisture content also resulted in increased energy yield and HHV of torrefied EFBs from 52.2% to 99.3% and 18.2-19.2 MJ/kg, respectively. The obtained results were then fitted to a power model to estimate the mass and energy yields of torrefied EFBs at different moisture contents and residence times by using the least squares method. Empirical equations generated by the developed model were accurate and can obtain a satisfactory fit to the experimental data, with the coefficient of determination values higher than 0.96. The calculated energy and carbon stored from the torrefied EFBs offer additional income, clean power, and less pollution in palm oil milling.
Keywords:
Torrefaction
Empty fruit bunches
Torrefied biomass
Power model
Solid fuel
Moisture content
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Journal

Biomass and Bioenergy cover
Biomass and Bioenergy
IF:
5.8
Papers:
8.4K
Citations:
2.2W

Organization

K
King Abdulaziz University
Scholars:
1.9W
Papers: 1.9W
Citations: 3.3W
M
Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Scholars:
573
Papers: 460
Citations: 543
U
Universiti Malaya
Scholars:
2.1W
Papers: 1.8W
Citations: 182
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