Torrefaction of palm kernel shell using conventional and microwave irradiation pretreatment

Abstract

This study describes the properties of torrefied palm kernel shell (PKS) by conventional and microwave irradiation (MI) pretreatment. In conventional pretreatment, the untreated PKS was torrefied using fixed bed reactor at temperature of 210, 230, 250, 270 and 290 °C for 60 min of holding time. In MI pretreatment, the untreated PKS was irradiated with microwave power of 200, 300, 450 and 600 W for 8 min of holding time. The torrefied samples were analysed for mass and energy yield, energy density, calorific value and proximate and ultimate analysis. The results showed that, the properties of torrefied samples were improved with increasing torrefaction temperature and microwave power. The mass and energy yield, moisture, volatile matter and oxygen content of torrefied PKS decreased, whereas, the calorific value, energy density and carbon content increased with increasing torrefaction temperature and microwave power. The torrefaction temperature of 270 °C and microwave power of 450 W were appropriate to upgrade the PKS properties. Therefore, the change in properties of torrefied PKS revealed the potential of applying pretreatment prior to further thermal conversion such as pyrolysis and gasification.