Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunk as a resource of starch and other sugars

Large quantities of oil palm trunks are available annually during the replanting activities when the oil palm tree passed their economic age, on an average after 25 years are replace with young trees. Basically the oil palm trunks contains about 18- 21% of lignin, 65-80% of holocellulose (a-cellulose and hemicellulose) and quite significant amount starch. This work is aimed to determine the total extractable starch and sugars content from oil palm trunks by using steeping method and dilute acid hydrolysis. The effect of different oil palm trunk powder size on starch, xylose and glucose yield was evaluated. The effect of extraction parameter for each extraction method on the yield of starch and sugars were studied. The highest starch yield was obtained when steeped in the presence of lactic acid, while the highest xylose yield was obtained by 60 min hydrolysis of 60 mesh of oil palm powder with 2% sulfuric acid. For glucose yield, hydrolysis efficiency of 82% was obtained for conversion of oil palm trunk to glucose using two-stage concentrated sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Conclusively oil palm trunk can be considered as a resource of substantial amounts of starch and sugars

Optimization of torrefaction conditions for high energy density solid biofuel from oil palm biomass and fast growing species available in Malaysia

Without appropriate treatment, lignocellulosic biomass is not suitable to be fed into existing combustion systems because of its high moisture content, low bulk energy density and difficulties in transport, handling and storage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of torrefaction treatment on the weight loss and energy properties of fast growing species in Malaysia (Acacia spp., and Macaranga spp.) as well as oil palm biomass (oil palm trunk and empty fruit bunch). The lignocellulosic biomass was torrefied at three different temperatures 200, 250 and 300 °C for 15, 30 and 45 min. Response surface methodology was used for optimization of torrefaction conditions, so that biofuel of high energy density, maximized energy properties and minimum weight loss could be manufactured. The analyses showed that increase in heating values was affected by treatment severity (cumulated effect of temperature and time). Our results clearly demonstrated an increased degradation of the material due to the combined effects of temperature and treatment time. While the reaction time had less impact on the energy density of torrefied biomass, the effect of reaction temperature was considerably stronger under the torrefaction conditions used in this study. It was demonstrated that each biomass type had its own unique set of operating conditions to achieve the same product quality. The optimized torrefaction conditions were verified empirically and applicability of the model was confirmed. The torrefied biomass occurred more suitable than raw biomass in terms of calorific value, physical and chemical properties. The results of this study could be used as a guide for the production of high energy density solid biofuel from lignocellulosic biomass available in Malaysia

Valorization of waste oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) biomass through furfurylation

Malaysia is the biggest producer of palm oil in the world. The production generates large amounts of waste trunks which should be considered a valuable bio-feedstock rather than waste. An approach for valorization of waste oil palm biomass – especially that of low density hardly applicable in industry – through furfurylation was investigated. Furfuryl alcohol treatment resulted in great improvement in the properties of the material: 200% density gain, water absorption and thickness swelling reduced by 50% and 74%, respectively, hardness increased by 400%, as well as 3.5-fold and 7.4-fold increase, respectively, in bending strength and modulus of elasticity was observed. Alternations in physical and mechanical properties of oil palm trunk combined with aesthetic changes due to material darkening may be considered an effective approach for conversion of waste biomass to novel materials of enhanced technical value

Effect of reaction time and temperature on the properties of carbon black made from palm kernel and coconut shell

Objective: Lignocellulosic biomass derived carbon black was thermally produced from Coconut Shell (CS) and Palm Kernel Shell (PKS). The effects of carbonization conditions on the characteristics of the produced lignocellulosic derived carbon black were studied. Methodology: Carbonization was carried out between 400 and 700EC for reaction ranging between 30 and 90 min. Practically, the carbonization temperature has a more prominent impact than the carbonization reaction time used in this experiment. Results: The result showed that high temperature carbonized carbon black had higher iodine adsorption as compared to carbon black that derived from low temperature. Prolong the reaction time resulting in structural deformation, hence less surface area for adsorption. In addition, the characteristics of carbon black from CS was fairly better than PKS carbon black in terms of iodine adsorption, surface area and fixed carbon content. The carbon black derived from PKS had lower iodine adsorption due to the poor development of porosity that contained higher ash and volatile matters. Conclusion: These study serves as fundamental tool to establish ideal production routes for carbon black manufactured from lignocellulosic biomass especially in the form of nut or seed shell