Biopellet from demineralized oil palm trunk

Abstract

Oil palm trunk (OPT) is a potential raw material for biopellet manufacturing. This study aimed to reduce the ash content of biopellet through pre-treatment with sulfuric acid. The moisture content, durability, ash content, density, and calorific values of the biopellet were determined according to DIN EN 14961-2 and 51731 standards. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the presence of inter-particle interlocking in the highly durable biopellet. Thermal analysis indicated that the mass and water loss, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin decomposition occurred at 76.12 °C, 113.97-200 °C, 310-360 °C, and >400 °C, respectively. Biopellet produced retained a moisture content of 3.40-8.90%, the durability of 97.75-99.38%, ash content after pre-treatment with H2SO4 of 1.02-1.47%, control ash content of 2.20-3.31%, the density of 1.03-1.30 g/cm3, and the calorific value of 3954-4608 kcal/kg. The biopellet quality fulfilled the requirements of DIN EN 14961-2, 51731, and SNI 8021-2014 standard, except for the ash content of the control.