Pengaruh Torefaksi dengan Reaktor Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) dan Electric Furnace terhadap Pelet Kayu Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) (Effects of Torefaction with Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) Reactor and Electric Furnace on the Properties of Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) Pellets)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to improve the quality of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) wood pellets through torrefaction with Counter-Flow Multi-Baffle (COMB) reactor and electric furnace (EF). COMB is a reactor that can conduct torrefaction with a short residence time, approximately around 3 to 5 min. The torrefaction with COMB reactor was conducted at 260°C and 280°C C, with a residence time of 3 min. The torrefaction with EF used the temperature of 260°C and 280°C with a duration of 20 min. The pellet properties evaluated include the color changes, physical characteristics, and heating values. The result showed that the color of Jabon wood pellet was totally changed after torrefaction with COMB reactor reaching the highest overall color-change (∆E *) of 21,9 in the long pellets and 21,7 in the short pellets, while torrefaction with EF resulted in the highest ∆E* of 28,6 and 23,2, in the long and short pellets, respectively. The initial moisture content of the long and short pellets of Jabon wood were 12,41% and 12,33%. After torrefaction with COMB the moisture content decreased to 2,85% and 2,61%, while after torrefaction with EF the values decreased to 2,77% and 2,58%. The initial density of the long and short pellets were 1,05 g/cm3 and 0,97 g/cm3. The density decreased to 0,91 g/cm3 and 0,76 g/cm3 after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and decreased to 0,87 g/cm3 and 0,75 g/cm3 after torrefaction with EF. The research result also showed that the initial heating value of long and short pellets of 17,69 MJ/kg increased to 31,79 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 32.02 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and increased to 19.74 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 19.99 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with EF. Torrefaction with COMB reactor with shorter residence time resulted in a higher improvement in bioenergetic properties of jabon wood pellets in comparison to torrefaction with EF. Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba, Counter-Flow Multi Baffle, torrefaction