PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROCHAR FROM HYDROTHERMAL CARBONIZATION OF OIL PALM SHELL

Abstract

Hydro-char is a most exciting contender of biomass energy. The interest in hydrochar production has increased because of its unique properties, benefits and a wide range of applications. Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) supported synthesis of biomass leads to the higher hydrochar yield percentage with higher carbon and energy density. The present work aims to find out the optimized hydrochar production using HTC. To optimize the parameters for higher hydrochar yield, Design Expert® Version 6.0.8 was used. Hydrochar production depends on different parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, and biomass to water ratio. The effect of these factors was studied with the help of Central Composite Design (CCD). The range of parameters selected was temperatures from 180-260 C, reaction times from 30-120 minute and biomass to water ratio of 1.10-1.60 by wt. %. The chemical, dielectric, and structural characteristics of the hydrochar product and the oil palm shell were studied. The study found the optimized condition for hydrochar yield percentage is at 180 C, within 30 minutes reaction times and 1.60 biomass to water ratio by wt. %. The elemental analysis suggests the carbon content increased, whereas the hydrogen and oxygen contents decreased with an increase in temperature. FESEM analysis in the study shows the HTC has altered the structure of oil palm shell significantly, in which few pairs were present on the rough surface of the oil palm shell. After the HTC, the surface porosity of hydrochar increased. The BET surface area, average pore diameter, and total pore volume of hydrochar also increased.