Characterisation of pellets made from oil palm residues in Costa Rica

Tenorio Carolina, . and Moya Roger, . and Valaert Jorre, . Characterisation of pellets made from oil palm residues in Costa Rica. pp. 198-210. ISSN 1511-2780

Presently there are around 67 000 ha of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Costa Rica. The resulting post-harvest residues are not being used currently. These residues can be employed for generation of heat by means of pelletisation. This study evaluates pellets fabricated with empty fruit bunches (EFB) and oil palm fruit mesocarp (OPFM) considering the physical (length diameter apparent density and moisture absorption) chemical (C and N content C/N ratio cellulose lignin and extractives) energy (calorific value ash volatile and moisture content) and mechanical properties (mechanical durability and force at break) of the pellets as well as the quality evaluation by means of X-ray densitometry and their efficiency in real conditions of use. Results obtained show few energy physical and mechanical differences between both types of pellets. The greater differences appear at the chemical level where in the case of OPFM high oil or resin contents may be the cause. Both pellets showed density levels within the international ranges although with internal variations especially in OPFM. For both types of pellet it is necessary to improve the combustion process in order to achieve better efficiency especially with respect to residual mass and O2 emissions.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://jopr.mpob.gov.my/characterisation-of-pellet...

Abstract

Presently there are around 67 000 ha of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Costa Rica. The resulting post-harvest residues are not being used currently. These residues can be employed for generation of heat by means of pelletisation. This study evaluates pellets fabricated with empty fruit bunches (EFB) and oil palm fruit mesocarp (OPFM) considering the physical (length diameter apparent density and moisture absorption) chemical (C and N content C/N ratio cellulose lignin and extractives) energy (calorific value ash volatile and moisture content) and mechanical properties (mechanical durability and force at break) of the pellets as well as the quality evaluation by means of X-ray densitometry and their efficiency in real conditions of use. Results obtained show few energy physical and mechanical differences between both types of pellets. The greater differences appear at the chemical level where in the case of OPFM high oil or resin contents may be the cause. Both pellets showed density levels within the international ranges although with internal variations especially in OPFM. For both types of pellet it is necessary to improve the combustion process in order to achieve better efficiency especially with respect to residual mass and O2 emissions.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Elaeis guineensis
AGROVOC Term:	Oil palms
AGROVOC Term:	Biomass
AGROVOC Term:	Combustion
AGROVOC Term:	Mesocarp
AGROVOC Term:	Absorption
AGROVOC Term:	emission
AGROVOC Term:	Evaluation
AGROVOC Term:	Thermal analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Chemical composition
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24298

Actions (login required)

View Item