Characteristics of densified oil palm empty fruit bunches blended with carbon nanotube particles

Abstract

In the present study, the mechanical (bulk), physicochemical, and thermal properties of densified empty fruit bunch (EFB) and carbon nanotube (CNT) were examined at various mixing ratios. A press machine initially produced the EFB briquettes with an operating pressure of 7 MPa and briquetting temperature of 150°C for 30 minutes. The results show that an increase in weight fraction of CNT causes a significant increase in gross calorific value (from 17900 kJ/kg to 19200 kJ/kg) and fixed carbon content (from 18% to 28%). However, the reduction in relaxed density (from 1300 kg/m3 to 1100 kg/m3), moisture (8% to 7.5%), volatile matter (62% to 70%), and ash (from 3.9% to 3.1%) was recorded. Furthermore, the gross calorific value and fixed carbon content were improved with the addition of CNT to EFB. However, the thermal analysis revealed that CNT addition marginally affected the thermal degradation behaviour and temperature profile characteristics of the briquettes. In conclusion, the relaxed density, gross calorific value and moisture of the EFB-CNT briquettes fulfilled the requirement for commercialisation as stated by international benchmarks. The findings of the present study reveal the potential of EFB briquettes blended with CNT particles to become as a source for future energy.