Enhancement of the calorific value of empty fruit bunch (EFB) by adding municipal solid waste as solid fuel in gasification process

Diallo, Amadou Dioulde Donghol and Al-Khatib, Ma An Fahmi Rashid and Alam, Md. Zahangir and Maizirwan, Mel (2021) Enhancement of the calorific value of empty fruit bunch (EFB) by adding municipal solid waste as solid fuel in gasification process. IIUM Engineering Journal, 22 (2). pp. 10-20. ISSN 1511-788X E-ISSN 2289-7860

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Abstract

Empty fruit bunch (EFB), a biomass-based waste, was deemed a potential replacement for fossil fuel. It is renewable and carbon neutral. The efficient management of this potential energy will help to deal with the problem associated with fossil fuels. However, a key parameter for evaluating the quality of raw material (EFB) as a fuel in energy applications is the calorific value (CV). When this CV is low, then its potential utilization as feedstock will be restricted. To tackle this shortcoming, we propose to add municipal solid waste to enhance energetic value. Thus, two major issues will be solved: managing solid residues and contributing an alternative energy source. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of mixing EFB and municipal solid waste (MSW) to make clean energy that is conscious of the environment (climate change) and sustainable development. The selected MSW, comprising of plastics, textiles, foam, and cardboard, were mixed, with EFB at various ratios. Proximate analysis was used to determine moisture content, ash, volatiles, and fixed carbon, whilst elemental analysis, is used to determine CHNS/O for MSW, EFB and their various mixtures. The CV of each element was also measured. The research revealed a significant increase in the calorific value of EFB by mixing it with MSW according to MSW/EFB ratios: 0.25; 0.42; 0.66; 1.00 and 1.50 the corresponding calorific values in (MJ/kg) were 19.77; 21.22; 22.67; 27.04 and 28.47 respectively. While the calorific value of pure EFB was 16.86 MJ/kg, the mixing of EFB with MSW promoted the increase in the CV of EFB to an average of 23.83MJ/kg. Another potential environmental benefit of applying this likely fuel was the low chlorine (0.21 wt. % to 0.95 wt. %) and sulfur concentrations (0.041 wt. % to 0.078 wt.%). This potential fuel could be used as solid refuse fuel (SRF) or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in a pyrolysis or gasification process with little to no environmental effects.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5595/93821
Uncontrolled Keywords:	municipal solid waste; empty fruit bunch; calorific value; energy; refuse derived fuel
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD785 Municipal refuse. Solid waste T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery > TJ807 Renewable energy sources
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering Kulliyyah of Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr. Ma'an Alkhatib
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2021 11:35
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2021 11:35
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/93821

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