Sharmeela Matali

Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon Made from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

This paper explains preparation of activated carbon from empty fruit bunch (EFB) using steam activation under optimum conditions; activation temperature of 765°C and activation time of 77min and analyzes their physical and chemical properties using proximate and ultimate analysis, fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Results show activated carbon EFB consists of 68.32 wt% carbon, 3.12 wt% hydrogen, 2.12 wt% nitrogen and 26.44 wt% oxygen content. FT-IR spectroscopy result indicate that raw EFB was successfully converted to carbon after activation process and was proven by spectra of commercial activated carbon. The XRD study confirms the presence of some crystalline (graphite) phase around peaks 26o and 43o. Characterization by using BET and SEM analysis showed that activated carbon produced from EFB has good properties with high surface area (720.0 m2/g) and well developed pores.

Yields Performance of Automotive Paint Sludge via Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis

This paper reported on the product yield of automotive paint sludge via microwave assisted pyrolysis. By having an optimum weight sample loading and power level at 500g and 1000W respectively, optimum product in terms of liquid yields has been obtained. This desired liquid product comprised hydrocarbon material since it contains oil layer and almost 40% of the product can be recovered from the automotive paint sludge with an optimum microwave parameter. Furthermore, the liquid product has a potential to be used as fuel since it exhibit high energy content at 22.6 MJ/kg.

An overview of oil palm biomass torrefaction: Effects of temperature and residence time

Biomass is characterized as high moisture content, low bulk and energy density, possesses hygroscopic behaviour and poor grindability material as compared to the superior coal. A thermal treatment called torrefaction is a heating of biomass in a temperature range between 200°C to 300°C under inert atmosphere in order to upgrade biomass properties. Torrefied biomass has many similar characteristics to coal such as low moisture content, high bulk and energy density, hydrophobic and good grindability. This paper reviews the effects of oil palm biomass torrefaction in terms of temperature and residence time. This is because comprehensive studies on torrefaction parameters need to be carried out since different parameters might affect the chemical and physical characteristic of the torrefied product. Hence, this paper aims to discuss the effects of different torrefaction temperature and residence time towards physicochemical characteristic, mass and energy yield as well as calorific value of torrefied oil palm biomass.

Kesan beban jisim dan aplikasi kaedah penyerap gelombang mikro kepada produk terhasil daripada sisa buangan kilang kelapa sawit melalui proses pirolisis bantuan gelombang mikro

Approximately, about 50 million tons of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is produced every year, however, discharge of POME to open water source will cause negative impact to environment. High production of POME makes it impossible to dispose at the disposal company, therefore, in-situ treatment has been developed. Current disposal method implemented by palm oil industries is through biodegradable pond. This method is applied due to high water content in POME about 90% of water. Microwave assisted pyrolysis would be an alternative method to deal with the POME since not only can disposed but also can convert to valuable material such as solid char and pyrolytic oil. In this paper, effect of mass loading of POME at a range of 100 to 500 grams with additional activated carbon (AC) was studied. Microwave power level, radiation time and mixing ratio of AC were set constant at 1000 W, 30 minutes and 5%, respectively. Product yields of solid and liquid were analyzed for the best process performance. Solid char obtained has a potential to be utilized as solid fuel since its energy content was >20 MJ/kg and has high carbon content at >80%. Meanwhile, about 20% of chemical content in the pyrolytic oil has the carbon number in the range of C1 to C10.

Combustion properties, water absorption and grindability of raw/torrefied biomass pellets and Silantek coal

Torrefaction, also known as mild pyrolysis, is proven to convert raw biomass into a value-added energy commodity particularly for application in combustion and co-firing systems with improved storage and handling properties. This paper aims to compare the characteristics of Malaysian bituminous coal i.e. Silantek coal with raw and torrefied biomass pellet originated from oil palm frond and fast growing tree species, Leucaena Leucocephala. Biomass samples were initially torrefied at 300 °C for 60 minutes. Resulting torrefied biomass pellets were analysed using a number of standard fuel characterisation analyses i.e. elemental analysis, proximate analysis and calorific content (high heating values) experiments. Investigations on combustion characteristics via dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), grindability and moisture uptake tests were also performed on the torrefied biomass pellets. Better quality bio-chars were produced as compared to its raw forms and with optimal process conditions, torrefaction...

Torrefaction of oil palm frond: Effects of torrefaction temperature and holding time

In this study, the effects of torrefaction treatment on the physicochemical properties of oil palm frond were investigated. The fibrous oil palm fronds (OPF) were torrefied under mild (250 °C) and severe torrefaction conditions (275 °C and 300 °C) for 30 and 60 minutes holding time in a tube furnace. Based on the observation, solid mass yield of torrefied OPF was reduced as torrefaction temperature and holding time increased. The results also showed that after torrefaction, fixed carbon content and high heating value (HHV) of the solid products increased while O/C and H/O atomic ratios decreased resulted in the buildup of carbon in the solid product. However, torrefaction temperature has more significant effect on torrefied product as compared to that of holding time. On the other hand, the influence of holding time became more apparent at torrefaction temperature >275 °C. It is also observed that oil palm frond has the lowest mass yield but highest fixed carbon content with enhanced HHV value when torref...

Mercury Removal in Simulated Flue Gas by Oil Palm EFB Activated Carbon

This study investigated the effects of simulated flue gas temperature and mercury inlet concentration on the mercury removal efficiency using activated carbon produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) which is prepared using physical (steam) activation method. The elemental, proximate, porous structure and particle size were performed for the oil palm EFB activated carbon. At low temperature, performance of activated carbon showed a good potential for adsorption of mercury. However, as temperature increase from 90 to 180 °C, the efficiency of mercury was found to be decreased from 92 to 64 %. When the inlet mercury concentration was increased, the mercury removal efficiency is increased from 55 to 98 %. It was observed that mercury removal was favoured at lower temperature, such as 30 and 90 °C and higher mercury concentration, such as 0.192 ppm for virgin oil palm EFB activated carbon.