EFFECT of OPERATING TEMPERATURE on PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES of EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH CELLULOSE-DERIVED BIOCHAR

Abstract

The oil palm lignocellulosic biomass is mass-produced which leads to management and disposal issue. Hence, converting it into carbonaceous material such as biochar is advantageous. One such by-products namely empty fruit bunch (EFB), comprises of 44.4 wt% cellulose, rendering it a prominent feedstock for biochar production. The study focuses on assessing the effect of pyrolysis temperatures on cellulose biochar properties and yields. The cellulose was extracted via standard method and carbonised using thermogravimetric analyser. The proximate and ultimate analyses and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to determine the biochar characteristics. Lower biochar yield, volatile matter (VM) and hydrogen contents were generated at higher temperature, whereas an opposite trend was observed for moisture, fixed carbon and ash contents. The FTIR spectra verified the presence of carboxyl, aromatic and hydroxyl groups at 250°C and 400°C; however, the bands diminished at 750°C. This work has identified that biochar produced at 250°C possesses excellent properties including higher biochar yield (32.51% ± 0.48), carbon content (57.98 wt%) and VM (38.68 wt%). High level of VM is beneficial for microbial rejuvenation, which is ideal for soil amendment. This study provides a key basis in establishing the suitable biochar properties and pyrolysis parameter for soil amendment as well as other applications. E IN PRE