Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production
The heating performance of empty fruit bunch pellets (EFBPs) has been limited by its low energy density, high moisture, and ash content. Hence, microwave co-torrefaction (MCT) was performed with microwave heating unto waste oil mixed EFBP to produce high-energy biofuel. However, the non-homogeneous...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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De Gruyter
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Green Processing and Synthesis |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2022-0041 |
| _version_ | 1797998380121587712 |
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| author | Cheong Kah Yein Kong Sieng Huat Liew Rock Keey Wong Chee Chung Wong Chee Swee Ngu Heng Jong Yek Peter Nai Yuh |
| author_facet | Cheong Kah Yein Kong Sieng Huat Liew Rock Keey Wong Chee Chung Wong Chee Swee Ngu Heng Jong Yek Peter Nai Yuh |
| author_sort | Cheong Kah Yein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The heating performance of empty fruit bunch pellets (EFBPs) has been limited by its low energy density, high moisture, and ash content. Hence, microwave co-torrefaction (MCT) was performed with microwave heating unto waste oil mixed EFBP to produce high-energy biofuel. However, the non-homogeneous electromagnetic fields distribution in the microwave cavity results in an uneven heating behavior, producing the hot and cold spots. Hence, MCT coupled with helical lift was examined for its potential to improve heat distribution. The effect of temperature and types of waste oil on the proximate analysis and surface properties were studied. In comparison to the conventional torrefaction using a furnace (>30 min), MCT provided rapid heating (50–80°C·min−1) and a shorter process time (10 min). The use of helical lift with 2-dimensional movement – rotational (24 rpm·min−1) and vertical motion (5 cm·min−1) simultaneously, distributed microwave radiation uniformly for rapid heating. The proximate analysis demonstrated that the ash content was reduced from 8 to 3 wt%, and the highest fuel ratio of 2.0 was achieved. Additionally, the highly porous structure of EFBP biochar can act as an activated carbon precursor. MCT coupled with helical lift represents a promising approach to prevent hot spots during microwave heating. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:47:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9888b54c317d48239ed9934a2378e3bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2191-9550 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:47:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | De Gruyter |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Green Processing and Synthesis |
| spelling | doaj.art-9888b54c317d48239ed9934a2378e3bf2022-12-22T04:29:00ZengDe GruyterGreen Processing and Synthesis2191-95502022-04-0111140441010.1515/gps-2022-0041Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel productionCheong Kah Yein0Kong Sieng Huat1Liew Rock Keey2Wong Chee Chung3Wong Chee Swee4Ngu Heng Jong5Yek Peter Nai Yuh6School of Foundation Studies, University of Technology Sarawak, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaSchool of Foundation Studies, University of Technology Sarawak, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaNV WESTERN PLT, No. 208B, Jalan Macalister, Georgetown, 10400, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaCentre for Research of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1, Jalan Universiti, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaCentre for Research of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1, Jalan Universiti, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaCentre for Research of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1, Jalan Universiti, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaCentre for Research of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1, Jalan Universiti, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, MalaysiaThe heating performance of empty fruit bunch pellets (EFBPs) has been limited by its low energy density, high moisture, and ash content. Hence, microwave co-torrefaction (MCT) was performed with microwave heating unto waste oil mixed EFBP to produce high-energy biofuel. However, the non-homogeneous electromagnetic fields distribution in the microwave cavity results in an uneven heating behavior, producing the hot and cold spots. Hence, MCT coupled with helical lift was examined for its potential to improve heat distribution. The effect of temperature and types of waste oil on the proximate analysis and surface properties were studied. In comparison to the conventional torrefaction using a furnace (>30 min), MCT provided rapid heating (50–80°C·min−1) and a shorter process time (10 min). The use of helical lift with 2-dimensional movement – rotational (24 rpm·min−1) and vertical motion (5 cm·min−1) simultaneously, distributed microwave radiation uniformly for rapid heating. The proximate analysis demonstrated that the ash content was reduced from 8 to 3 wt%, and the highest fuel ratio of 2.0 was achieved. Additionally, the highly porous structure of EFBP biochar can act as an activated carbon precursor. MCT coupled with helical lift represents a promising approach to prevent hot spots during microwave heating.https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2022-0041microwavetorrefactionempty fruit bunchhelical lifthot spot |
| spellingShingle | Cheong Kah Yein Kong Sieng Huat Liew Rock Keey Wong Chee Chung Wong Chee Swee Ngu Heng Jong Yek Peter Nai Yuh Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production Green Processing and Synthesis microwave torrefaction empty fruit bunch helical lift hot spot |
| title | Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| title_full | Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| title_fullStr | Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| title_short | Integration of microwave co-torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| title_sort | integration of microwave co torrefaction with helical lift for pellet fuel production |
| topic | microwave torrefaction empty fruit bunch helical lift hot spot |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2022-0041 |
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