Characterization of Reactivity Enhancement Coal Combustion with Empty Fruit Bunches Using Thermogravimetry Analysis

Abstract

A study on the utilization of biomass in power plants as an alternative fuel was conducted. The benefit of biomass fuel is that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, namely carbon dioxide, and contributes to reducing the effects of global warming. This paper discusses the characterization of coal and empty fruit bunch (EFB) blends as well as the characteristics of EFB using TG-DTA (Thermo gravimetric-Differential Thermal Analyzer). The study was conducted at a heating rate of 20°C/min in reaction air and inert (nitrogen) gas up to 900°C. Combustion properties were analyzed by observing the combustion profile graph. The increasing heating rate can shorten the reaction time (in the same temperature region), and therefore the temperature required for the sample to decompose is higher. However, combustion reactivity was analyzed by the reactivity index, where the higher the value, the higher the combustion rate and the faster the combustion time. A higher reactivity value of coal and EFB blends relative to coal has the potential to reduce the unburned carbon content of fly ash.