Improving the Quality of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oil (Liquid Fuel) using Thermal Distillation Method

Abstract

Oil palm biomass generates an abundance via the oil palm industry such as Palm kernel shell (PKS), empty fruit bunch (EFB), frond, trunk.  Problem Statement: The main issue nowadays is global warming; one of the factors is the increment of CO2 content in the atmosphere. In order to reduce the CO2 content in the atmosphere, biomass is used, as it is a renewable, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative energy source that needs to be adopted in the energy mix. The objective of this study was to improve the quality of bio-oil.  Approach: In this research, an empty fruit bunch (EFB) was utilized in a fixed bed reactor, and pyrolysis oil was upgraded via a thermal distillation reactor. The temperature of pyrolysis was 500 °C, and the temperature of thermal distillation was 100 °C. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic and ultimate analysis was utilized to investigate chemical composition.  Results: The maximum distilled bio-oil yield was 60- 65 % at 100 °C. The heating value of bio-oil was 21 MJ/kg, and distilled bio-oil was 30 MJ/kg. The density of bio-oil was 1035 g/mL, and distilled bio-oil was 980 g/mL  Conclusion: The results showed that the distilled bio-oil obtained from EFB bio-oil has a high heating value low oxygen content than it can use as fuel in engines.