Physical and combustion properties of torrefied empty fruit bunch after densification

Abstract

Increasing demand of energy, depletion of the fossil fuel reserves and increasing in air pollution have increased interest in biomass especially on palm biomass as a renewable energy sources. However, untreated palm biomass which is empty fruit bunches, EFB has a couple shortcomings such as high moisture content, low calorific value and energy density that cause difficulty and high cost in storage and transportation. Therefore, it is important to perform torrefaction and densification on EFB before it is used as renewable energy sources. In this project, EFB biomass was torrefied at fixed conditions and then they were densified under various heating temperature. The physical and combustion characteristics of the torrefied EFB briquettes have been discussed. It is found that the briquetting temperature does not affect density, calorific value and fixed carbon content significantly. These all characteristics most influence to the torrefaction temperature. However, during briquetting temperature the compressive strength of the torrefied briquettes increases. The performance of torrefied EFB briquettes fulfils requirement as stated by standard DIN 51731 in terms of calorific value and moisture content.