Improvement of Fuel Characteristics in Palm Kernel Shell through Torrefaction Process

Biomass in Thailand has great potential as a substitute fuel or as a co-fuel with fossil fuels such as coal. However, biomass has properties such as high moisture content, high volatile matter, low heating value, and high ash content when compared to fossil fuels, which limit its use. Therefore, this research studied the improvement of biomass properties using torrefaction at a temperature of 300 °C in a reactor. The biomass studied was palm kernel shell, and the variables studied were the reaction time of 40, 60, and 80 minutes. The results showed that the yield of solid obtained was in the range of 42.4-44.4 %, and the torrefied palm kernel shell had lower moisture content, volatile matter, and ash content compared to raw palm kernel. The effect of the reaction time of 40, 60, and 80 minutes on the properties of torrefied palm kernel shell was found to be similar, and the high heating value was around 26 MJ/kg. Therefore, a reaction time of 40 minutes was sufficient to improve the properties of palm kernel shell for use as a high-quality fuel.