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Title:	Production and characterization of palm kernel shell biochar via Biochar Experimenter's Kit (BEK)
Authors:	Kong Sieng Huat (P57266)
Supervisor:	Jumat Salimon, Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Filters and filtration -- Materials Biochar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations Dissertations, Academic -- Malaysia
Issue Date:	23-Jan-2017
Description:	As the world's second largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Malaysia's palm oil industry leaves behind huge amount of biomass from its plantation and milling activities. To enhance the use of the abundant biomass generated, conversion of biomass to biochar could be a promising alternative. In this study, slow pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) was conducted by using the Biochar Experimenter's Kit (BEK). The effects of the final pyrolysis temperatures and holding times on the yields of biochar and pyrolysis by-products such as bio-oil and pyrolysis gas were investigated. The final pyrolysis temperature were set in the range of 400-600°C at holding times between 30 to 90 min. The maximum biochar yield produced per batch was 31.6±2.2 wt. % at 400°C and 60 min holding time. Biochar yield decreased with the increase in both temperature and holding time. The maximum yield of bio-oil collected was 2.6±0.2 wt. % at 500°C and a holding time of 60 min. As for the pyrolysis gas, the maximum conversion rate of 70.3±5.1 wt. % was obtained from the pyrolysis process run under the temperature of 600°C with holding time of 60 min. The pyrolysis gas yield increased with the increasing temperature and holding time. The carbon content of PKS increased from 46.2±0.1% to 73.1±0.3% after pyrolysis, while hydrogen and oxygen contents decreased due to the devolatilization process. In addition, pyrolysis caused the ash and fixed carbon content of PKS biochar to increase from 4.7±0.3 wt. % and 21.0±0.3 wt. % up to 17.1±0.7 wt. % and 74.9±1.2 wt. %, respectively. Conversely, the moisture and volatile matter content decreased sharply due to evaporation and devolatilization respectively. Besides, the H/C and O/C molar ratio of PKS biochar were between 0.32-0.54 and 0.08-0.21 respectively, suggesting high stability of the PKS biochar. pH values in the range of 9.32±0.01 to 11.96±0.02 were recorded, while cation exchange capacity of PKS biochar increased from 2.98±0.06 to 4.44±0.31 cmol/kg at 400°C only. BET surface area and total pore volume increased from 106±3 m2/g and 0.01 cm3/g for raw PKS up to 329±4 m2/g and 0.31 cm3/g for PKS biochar. This is in agreement with water holding capacity of PKS biochar which also increased from 5.26±0.22 to 6.21±0.10 g(H2O)/10 g compared to 2.23±0.06 g(H2O)/10 g for raw PKS. The final results of the study showed that PKS biochar is capable in carbon sequestration to reduce the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, as well as soil management to improve nutrient and water retention in the acidic soil.,“Certification of Masters/Doctoral Thesis” is not available,Master Of Science
Pages:	89
Call Number:	TP248.B55K643 2017 tesis
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Science and Technology / Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi

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