Pilot scale biochar production from palm kernel shell (PKS) in a fixed bed allothermal reactor


Citation

Haryati Zainal, . and Loh Soh Kheang, . and Kong Sieng-Huat, . and Bachmann Robert Thomas, . Pilot scale biochar production from palm kernel shell (PKS) in a fixed bed allothermal reactor. pp. 485-494. ISSN 1511-2780

Abstract

Oil palm biomass wastes such as oil palm fronds (OPF) empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm kernel shells (PKS) are amongst the most abundantly available agricultural residues in Malaysia. Of these an average 0.16 t PKS per tonne crude palm oil (CPO) is commonly used in palm oil mills as boiler fuel to generate steam and electricity while the remaining unused 0.20 t PKS per tonne CPO are often sold as fuel. In order to diversify and add value to the remaining PKS it is proposed to convert it into biochar to sequester CO2 and improve the productivity of low-fertility soil. In this study PKS was carbonised under allothermal conditions at various temperatures (400C to 600C) and residence times (30 and 60 min) using the biochar experimenters kit (BEK). Biochar yield decreased from 52.1 15.5 wt at 400C (30 min) to 33.4 1.4 wt at 600C (60 min) while pH elemental and fixed carbon content increased with temperature and residence time. The VM/FC (0.25 to 0.60) and O/C (0.12 “ 0.23) ratios suggest that PKS biochar is an effective carbon sink with a half-life in soil 100 years.


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Abstract

Oil palm biomass wastes such as oil palm fronds (OPF) empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm kernel shells (PKS) are amongst the most abundantly available agricultural residues in Malaysia. Of these an average 0.16 t PKS per tonne crude palm oil (CPO) is commonly used in palm oil mills as boiler fuel to generate steam and electricity while the remaining unused 0.20 t PKS per tonne CPO are often sold as fuel. In order to diversify and add value to the remaining PKS it is proposed to convert it into biochar to sequester CO2 and improve the productivity of low-fertility soil. In this study PKS was carbonised under allothermal conditions at various temperatures (400C to 600C) and residence times (30 and 60 min) using the biochar experimenters kit (BEK). Biochar yield decreased from 52.1 15.5 wt at 400C (30 min) to 33.4 1.4 wt at 600C (60 min) while pH elemental and fixed carbon content increased with temperature and residence time. The VM/FC (0.25 to 0.60) and O/C (0.12 “ 0.23) ratios suggest that PKS biochar is an effective carbon sink with a half-life in soil 100 years.

Additional Metadata

[error in script]
Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Oil palm
AGROVOC Term: Biomass
AGROVOC Term: Agricultural wastes
AGROVOC Term: Palm kernels
AGROVOC Term: Shell
AGROVOC Term: Pyrolysis
AGROVOC Term: Temperature
AGROVOC Term: Time
AGROVOC Term: Carbon
Depositing User: Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2025 06:29
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24703

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