Energy Reports (Dec 2022)
Conversion of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) by hydrothermal carbonization towards hydrochar production
Abstract
Empty fruit bunches (EFBs) are waste from the palm oil production. It has a high potential for use as a renewable carbon resource. As it typically contains a high moisture content, it requires a moisture removal step prior to transformation into high-value products via thermochemical processes. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an effective method for converting moisture-rich biomass into carbon-based products. The feasibility of employing EFBs as a feedstock for the production of promising carbonaceous materials via HTC in a batched stirred tank reactor was investigated in this research. The parameters influencing the HTC’s product properties, including reaction temperatures ranging from 160 to 280 °C and reaction times ranging from 2 to 8 h, were examined. The mass ratio of dried EFBs to water content was kept constant at 1:10. The hydrochar properties were evaluated using ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, N2-physisorption, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis (FTIR). The carbon content and amount of fixed carbon increased with increasing reaction temperature. The well-developed hydrochar was produced at a temperature of 240 °C for 2 h, providing a carbon content of 70% and a fixed carbon of 35%, with a solid yield of 41%. The surface area of this hydrochar was 11.21 m2/g, the pore volume of 0.033 cm 3/g, and the pore diameter of 10.89 nm. This study showed the effective preparation of materials with high carbon content from moisture-rich agricultural wastes.
