BRIQUETTING OF PALM KERNEL SHELL BIOCHAR OBTAINED VIA MILD PYROLYTIC PROCESS

Abstract

The production of Palm kernel shell (PKS) fuel briquette via mild pyrolysis is the focus of this paper.  The operating temperature was kept constant at 280 ⁰C during carbonization at 30, 60, and 90 minute residence time. Proximate analyses and elemental composition of the char were determined, and also the calorific value of the briquette was obtained to be 20.27 MJ/kg. The briquette specific fuel consumption and the burning rate determined during the water boil test were 0.021kg/l and 1.18g/min respectively. The use of PKS briquette as high grade solid fuel can reduce considerably both environmental pollution emanating from wastes as well the energy crises in most developing countries.