Microwave induced pyrolysis of oil palm biomass by using layer microwave absorber in reverse flow double cylinder reactor

Abstract

Empty fruit bunches (EFB), mesocarp fiber (MF) and oil palm shell (OPS) from oil palm biomass have undergone microwave pyrolysis with layer microwave absorber (MA) method by using reverse flow double cylinder reactor. Microwave pyrolysis has been carried out under fixed microwave power of 800W with parameters of temperatures (400-600°C) and MA loading percentages (30-50wt.%). The performance in terms of products yield and liquid product quality (phenolic compounds) has been studied. Results show that 500°C is the optimum temperature to produce highest liquid pyrolysis product yield for all the three types of oil palm biomass. At the optimum temperature, the highest liquid product yield was obtained at the MA loading percentage of 30wt.% for the case of MF and OPS, while 40wt.% for the case of EFB. The highest liquid product yields were recorded 37.02wt.%, 37.01wt.% and 37.96wt.% for the case of EFB, MF and OPS respectively. Besides, gas yield from EFB, MF and OPS at 500°C lie within the range of 22-34wt.%. Under the optimum temperature and MA loading percentages, total phenolic compound of GS-MS area 78.91% was obtained in the case of EFB while 75.41% and 81.75 % of GC-MS area for the case of MF and OPS.