Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology

Recovery of oil palm resources is essential towards conserving environment. This study investigated the behaviour of oil palm kernel shells (PKS), palm mesocarp fibre (PMF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) through microwave assisted pyrolysis. Power level (300–1,000 W), exposure time (10–30 min) and mass...

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Main Authors: Siti Shawalliah Idris, Norazah Abd Rahman, Khudzir Ismail, Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Yunus, Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Chemical Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fceng.2022.864589/full
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author Siti Shawalliah Idris
Norazah Abd Rahman
Khudzir Ismail
Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Yunus
Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi
author_facet Siti Shawalliah Idris
Norazah Abd Rahman
Khudzir Ismail
Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Yunus
Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi
author_sort Siti Shawalliah Idris
collection DOAJ
description Recovery of oil palm resources is essential towards conserving environment. This study investigated the behaviour of oil palm kernel shells (PKS), palm mesocarp fibre (PMF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) through microwave assisted pyrolysis. Power level (300–1,000 W), exposure time (10–30 min) and mass loading (20–50 g) were varied to determine its influence on char yield and calorific value at one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) analysis. Model equations obtained from Box-Behnken design was used for Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in determining the optimum operating condition. It was found that the power level has least important influence on the solid char yield of EFB and PMF. No significant impact on the solid char yield of PMF beyond 10 min of exposure. Maximum mass inside the pyrolyser for EFB, PMF, and PKS are 40, 50, and 25 g, respectively. Calorific values of solid char produced were comparable to a low rank coal (>22 MJ/kg). From the RSM analysis, the optimum conditions for obtaining high char yield and calorific values have been determined with power level of 300 W, exposure time in the range of 16.7–32 min, and biomass mass in the range of 20–40.4 g. The outcome from this analysis is vital as it provides an alternative solution to utilise oil palm industrial wastes to be converted to solid fuel as source of renewable fuel and reduce its pollution to the environment.
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spelling doaj.art-e8f76027d0b544af990fa942f74f978d2022-12-22T04:00:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Chemical Engineering2673-27182022-08-01410.3389/fceng.2022.864589864589Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface MethodologySiti Shawalliah Idris0Norazah Abd Rahman1Khudzir Ismail2Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Yunus3Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi4School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam Selangor, MalaysiaSchool of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam Selangor, MalaysiaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kampus Perlis, Arau, MalaysiaSime Darby Plantation Research Sdn Bhd, Carey Island, Pulau Carey, MalaysiaSime Darby Plantation Research Sdn Bhd, Carey Island, Pulau Carey, MalaysiaRecovery of oil palm resources is essential towards conserving environment. This study investigated the behaviour of oil palm kernel shells (PKS), palm mesocarp fibre (PMF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) through microwave assisted pyrolysis. Power level (300–1,000 W), exposure time (10–30 min) and mass loading (20–50 g) were varied to determine its influence on char yield and calorific value at one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) analysis. Model equations obtained from Box-Behnken design was used for Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in determining the optimum operating condition. It was found that the power level has least important influence on the solid char yield of EFB and PMF. No significant impact on the solid char yield of PMF beyond 10 min of exposure. Maximum mass inside the pyrolyser for EFB, PMF, and PKS are 40, 50, and 25 g, respectively. Calorific values of solid char produced were comparable to a low rank coal (>22 MJ/kg). From the RSM analysis, the optimum conditions for obtaining high char yield and calorific values have been determined with power level of 300 W, exposure time in the range of 16.7–32 min, and biomass mass in the range of 20–40.4 g. The outcome from this analysis is vital as it provides an alternative solution to utilise oil palm industrial wastes to be converted to solid fuel as source of renewable fuel and reduce its pollution to the environment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fceng.2022.864589/fulloil palm biomassbiomass charBox-Behnkenresponse surface methodologymicrowave-assisted pyrolysis
spellingShingle Siti Shawalliah Idris
Norazah Abd Rahman
Khudzir Ismail
Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Yunus
Noor Irma Nazashida Mohd Hakimi
Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
Frontiers in Chemical Engineering
oil palm biomass
biomass char
Box-Behnken
response surface methodology
microwave-assisted pyrolysis
title Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
title_full Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
title_fullStr Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
title_full_unstemmed Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
title_short Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Biomass: Multi-Optimisation of Solid Char Yield and Its Calorific Value Using Response Surface Methodology
title_sort microwave assisted pyrolysis of oil palm biomass multi optimisation of solid char yield and its calorific value using response surface methodology
topic oil palm biomass
biomass char
Box-Behnken
response surface methodology
microwave-assisted pyrolysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fceng.2022.864589/full
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