Experimental Studies on Combustion Characteristics of OilPalm Biomass in Fluidized-Bed: A Heat Energy Alternative

M. Reza Hani; Mahidin; Husni Husin; Khairil; Hamdani; Erdiwansyah; Hisbullah; Muhammad Faisal; Mahyudin; Muhtadin; M. I. Afkar; O. Taka; Maizirwan Mel

Authors

M. Reza Hani Doctoral Program in Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Mahidin Research Center for Environmental and Natural Resources, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Husni Husin Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Khairil Department of Mechanical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Hamdani Department of Mechanical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Erdiwansyah Department Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh 23245, Indonesia
Hisbullah Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Muhammad Faisal Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Abulyatama Aceh, Aceh Besar 23372, Indonesia
Mahyudin Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Abulyatama Aceh, Aceh Besar 23372, Indonesia
Muhtadin Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Abulyatama Aceh, Aceh Besar 23372, Indonesia
M. I. Afkar Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
O. Taka Department of Chemical Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Maizirwan Mel Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Kulliyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Oil-palm biomass, Combustion characteristics, Fluidized bed, Flue gas, Ash deposit

Abstract

One of the technologies that can be used to meet energy needs is biomass combustion. In this study, the oil palm biomass fuels used were empty fruit bunches, oil palm fibers, oil palm midribs, and palm kernel shells. This research was carried out by a direct combustion method using a fluidized-bed combustor. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the reaction of kinetics and the mechanism of combustion of oil palm biomass in fluidized-bed combustor. The characteristics observed in this test were the combustion temperature profile, flue-gas composition, and the composition of the ash-deposit chemical compound. The results of the experiments conducted showed that the best biomass combustion temperature profile was recorded at 2 kg biomass with an air flow rate of 0.9375 m3/s at 90.1%. The maximum temperature of biomass combustion recorded at biomass 3 kg with an air flow rate of 1.25 m3/s are 950oC (95%). The higher conversion combustion of biomass was found at biomass condition of 3 kg with an air flow rate of 0.9375 m3/s. The value of O2 emissions from biomass combustion shows that it was very small 0.2%. While the highest CO2 value was recorded at 19.9%. The highest combustion efficiency on FBC found 1 kg of biomass fuel with an air flow rate of 0.0654 m3/s recorded 94.9%.