THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PALM OIL WASTE BIOMASS USING THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS

• Main Author: Fitriah, Fajriani
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik (Rekayasa, enjinering dan kegiatan berkaitan)
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/55339
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Oil palm waste biomass has great potential in Indonesia. The government has encouraged biomass's potential to reduce the use of fossil fuels that are depleting in amount. Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) are two alternate sources that can be utilized to produce energy. PKS and EFB can be converted into energy sources in various ways from direct combustion to thermochemical processes. The characteristics and kinetics of PKS and EFB are important to be identified to determine proper utilization. However, research on this matter in Indonesia is still limited. This study was conducted to determine the thermal characteristics and kinetics of PKS and EFB decomposition using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). PKS samples were analyzed by air and nitrogen at a heating rate of 10, 15, and 20°C/min, while the EFB samples were analyzed by the air at a heating rate of 5, 10, and 20°C/min. Kinetics studies using the model-free methods and the model-fitting method were used to determine the kinetics parameters of PKS and EFB thermal decomposition. OFW, KAS, Starink, and Friedman methods were used in model-free, while the Coats-Redfern method was used in model-fitting. The thermal decomposition process in PKS1 occurs a pyrolysis process, while in PKS2 and EFB, a combustion process occurs. Based on the TGA and DTG curves, EFB is more reactive than PKS. In the model-free method, PKS activity energy is smaller than EFB. The OFW, KAS, and Starink methods demonstrate the same and better patterns in the model-free methods than the Friedman method. In the model-fitting method, thermal decomposition of biomass is controlled by a diffusion model with activation energies of PKS are 52-73 kJ/mol for stage 1 and 40-55 kJ/mol for stage 2 respectively. The activation energy of EFB is 58-81 kJ/mol.