Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu khoa học trên tạp chí khoa học vật lý quốc tế đề tài: BIO-OIL FROM FAST PYROLYSIS OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES | Journal of Physical Science Vol. 18 1 57-74 2007 57 BIO-OIL FROM FAST PYROLYSIS OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES N. Abdullah1 H. Gerhauser2 and . Bridgwater2 1School of Physics Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 USM Pulau Pinang Malaysia 2Bio-Energy Research Group Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry Aston University Birmingham UK Corresponding author nurhaya@ Abstract This study is an investigation on fast pyrolysis technology of oil palm empty fruit bunches EFB to bio-oil. EFB is one of the solid wastes that are rapidly increasing in the palm oil industry. The composition and particle size distribution of the unwashed feedstock and washed feedstock were determined and its thermal degradation behaviour was analysed by thermogravimetric analysis TGA . A 150 g h fluidized bed bench scale fast pyrolysis unit was used to study the impact of key variables reactor temperature in the range of 425 C to 550 C and feedstock ash content in the range of to mf wt . The properties of the liquid product were analysed and compared with wood derived bio-oil and petroleum fuels. It was found that the maximum ash content of washed feedstock that produced homogenous liquids is less than 3 mf wt . The results of pyrolysis experiments showed that the bio-oil from washed EFB with low ash content had similar properties as wood. Keywords empty fruit bunches fast pyrolysis oil palm bio-oil ash washed feedstock thermogravimetric analysis 1. INTRODUCTION Fast pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that occurs at moderate temperatures in which the biomass is rapidly heated in the absence of oxygen or air to produce a mixture of condensable liquids gases and The process of fast pyrolysis is one of the most recent renewable energy processes which promises high yields of liquid with minimum of gas and char if this process is carefully controlled. Normally for woody feedstocks temperatures around 500 C together with short vapour residence times are
