Bio-oil and biochar derived from the pyrolysis of palm kernel shell for briquette

Abstract

The objective of this study was to produce briquette from the mixture of pyrolysis products. Palm shell was pyrolyzed at a temperature of 400°C for 2 h holding time and heating rate of 10°C/min. The biochar and bio-oil ratio was prepared at 3:1 weight percentages for briquette. The viscosity of bio-oil was improved to increase the bonding forces. The characterization of biochar, bio-oil, coal and briquette were analyzed and presented in this study. The density and compressive strength of briquette were, respectively, found to be 0.94 gcm-3 and 3.20 Nmm-2. The shatter and water resistance of briquette were established to be 97 and 96 wt. %, respectively. The high heating value (HHV) of briquette was 29.6 MJkg-1 greater than that of Malaysian sub-bituminous coal 24.6 MJkg-1. It implies that the briquette produced is stable, durable and qualitative. Therefore, it can be concluded that the briquette can substitute coal in some applications.