TORJREFACTION STUDIES OF VARIOUS OIL PALM BIOMASS

Oil palm biomass are the main agricultural wastes in Malaysia. However, biomass
have relatively high moisture content, low energy density and durability against
biodegradation. To overcome these problems, a pre-treatment method called as
torrefaction process was applied in this work. Torrefaction process of empty fruit
bunches (EFB), palm mesocarp fiber (PMF) and palm kernel shell (PKS) of size range
250-500 um were performed under inert atmosphere at mild torrefaction (200, 220
and 240 °C) and severe torrefaction (260, 280 and 300 °C) in the TGA and tube
furnace. The objectives of this research work were to investigate the changes in the
properties of torrefied biomass included CHNS content, calorific value, weight loss
distribution, mass and energy yield, mass loss and internal structure. Torrefaction
behavior and its kinetic have been studied and a model was proposed to predict the
produced amount of torrefied biomass.