The Influence of Oxygen in the Carbonization of Oil Palm Shell on Bio-Char Yield and Properties

Abstract

The presence of oxygen from air infiltration during the carbonization process of biomass is expected to be detrimental to biochar yield and properties. Experimental study was carried out on oil palm shell in a fixed-bed pyrolyser under various oxygen concentrations ranging from 0% to 11 % by varying the nitrogen and oxygen fractions in the pyrolysing gas mixture. The two critical parameters: the bed temperature and holding time were also varied. Process optimization was carried out by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) by employing Central Composite Design (CCD) using Design Expert 6.0 Software. The effect of oxygen ratio and holding time on biochar yield within the temperature range studied were statistically significant. The optimum condition of 30.0 % biochar yield of palm shell was predicted at pyrolysis temperature of 420 °C, oxygen percentage of 2.3% and holding time of two hours. This prediction closely agreed with the experiment finding of 31.1% biochar yield.

Comparative Analysis of Pigeonpea Stalk Biochar Characteristics and Energy Use under Different Biochar Production Methods

“…The elemental composition of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) in the PPS was estimated using empirical correlation Equations ( 5) and ( 6), as proposed by [4], based on the results from the proximate analysis; the data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean.…”

“…HHV (MJ kg −1 ) = 0.3536 × FC + 0.1559 × VM − 0.0078 × Ash (7) In this equation, FC stands for the fixed carbon content %, VM for the volatile matter content percentage, and Ash for the ash content percentage in the PPS and biochar [4].…”

“…An estimate claims that, if biomass burning were to be stopped in North India, there might be an economic gain of more than $1.7 billion (in PPP values) over the course of five years due to a decline in the prevalence of hypertension [3]. While some crop residues find utilization in industrial processes, animal feed, roofing material for rural homes, and cooking fuel, a considerable portion remains unutilized and is burned in agricultural fields [4]. Out of the total crop waste of 140 million tons, approximately 92 million tons are openly burned, exacerbating the situation [2].…”

Activated Carbon from Yam Peels Modified with Fe3O4 for Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Aqueous Solution

“…Recently, the effects of residence time, temperature, and oxygen concentration on the carbonization of biomass have been studied; the reports show that the best conditions are attributed to a short residence time, temperatures below 420 • C, and low oxygen concentrations. Therefore, the oxidation of biomass is mainly due to exposure to natural atmosphere for a prolonged residence time [28]. Although the thermal treatment of biomass is carried out at low temperatures, the residence time is usually extended for long periods above 90 min, increasing the exposure to the natural atmosphere.…”

“…The material treated was separated from the H 3 PO 4 solution and dried in an oven at 110 • C for 4 h and subsequently carbonized in a muffle furnace at 400 • C under natural atmosphere, with a heating rate of 5 • C/min. Once the temperature was reached, the sample was taken out of the muffle furnace and cooled down at room temperature for 1 h in order to decrease the oxidation of carbon [28,29]. The as-prepared carbon was washed with 200 mL of distilled water, put in contact with 200 mL of ethanol for 24 h, and dried in an oven at 110 • C for 7 h. Carbon was activated using a KOH solution considering a 1:2 mass ratio, under constant stirring for 1 h, and then placed in a muffle furnace at 500 • C with a rate of 5 • C/min.…”