Paper details

Title:

A Potential of Oil Palm Trunk Fibre as a Gasification Feedstock for Syngas Production

Author(s):

Rafidah, J., Sakanishi, K., Miyazawa, T., Mohd Nor, M.Y., Wan Asma, I., Puad, E., Shaharuddin, H., Mahanim, S.M.A

Document(s):

Abstract:

Oil palm or Elaesis guineensis is originated from West Africa. It was first introduced into Malaya in 1870 and was known as an ornamental plant. Today, about 4.50 million hectares of land in Malaysia is under oil palm cultivation; producing 17.73 million tons of palm oil and 2.13 tons of palm kernel oil. Malaysia is one the largest producers and exporters of palm oil in the world, accounting for 11% of the world’s oils and fats production and 27% of export trade of oils and fats (Anon, 2009). In Malaysia, the palm oil industry generates huge amounts of residues and wastes such as fruit fibers, shell, empty fruit bunches, fronds, trunks and palm oil mill effluent. Oil palm trunk (OPT) is among the most abundant biomass with high potential for energy and material source because oil palm trees are felled and replanted approximately every 25 years. The gasification of OPT was carried out using downdraft fixed­bed gasifier to determine its suitability as a gasification feedstock in future. The experimental work was carried out under atmospheric pressure (1atm), constant temperature (9000C) and constant reaction time (60min). The effects of different gasifying agent and steam to carbon ratio (S/C) on syngas production were investigated. The syngas ratio was increased when steam (1.40) was applied as gasifying agent compare to air (1.33) due to water­gas shift reaction was occurred between carbon and steam to produce more hydrogen. High value of nitrogen (N2) content in producer gas was reduced almost 90% by replace with carbon dioxide (CO2) as agent. CO2 removal gave zero effect to greenhouse gasses due to recycling process of CO2 for natural growth process.

Keywords:

syngas, oil palm trunk (OPT), feedstock gasification, gasifying agent, downdraft gasifier

Topic:

Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Electricity and Chemicals                  

Subtopic:

Gasification for synthesis gas production

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP2.4.5

Pages:

1547 - 1550

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP2.4.5

Price:

FREE