Torrefaction of Empty Fruit Bunch as Fibrous Biomass Pre-Treatment

The utilization of empty bunches (EFB) as biomass still limited. EFB is used as additional fuel in palm oil mills where the combustion process is directly used. This process has deficiencies due to the characteristics of empty bunches which tend to have high water content. To achieve good combustion results, EFB required pre-treatment technique. In this study, experimental studies of EFB pre-treatment is proposed by torrefaction to improve EFB energy quality. Torrefaction of EFB is performed in several temperature variations with a range between 150-300 °C (150,200,250,300) and a certain duration (15,20,25,30,45 minutes). An investigation is done by using a calorimetric bomb, proximate analysis to find the moisture and ash content and ultimate analysis, which determined the chemical properties of the pre-treatment process. The physical properties of EFB, which fibrous and tough makes EFB size reduction difficult to reach homogenous state. Mass yield of torrefied EFB decreased with increasing temperature as well as with increasing times of torrefaction. Fundamentally, the study has highlighted the effects of torrefaction on solid fuel properties of EFB and its potential as a solid fuel for future thermal applications.