ASPEN plus simulation and optimal operating conditions of pyrolysis process from oil palm biomass (OPB).

Biomass-based pyrolysis is raising a growing interest nowadays because it can alleviate the pollution of biomass wastes and provide a supply of bio-energy, bio-fuels, and chemicals. Oil palm biomass wastes are the most widely available and promising candidate feedstocks in Malaysia. The disposal of these wastes in a friendly environmental way is a challenging task. In this work, three types of oil palm biomass wastes-empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm kernel shell (PKS), and palm mesocarp fiber (PMF)-are examined. In literature, kinetic-based models promise to be accurate for simulation purposes; however, they are computationally intensive, and it is applicable only when kinetic data are available for the specific feedstock and pyrolysis equipment, while in this study, it is considering that the pyrolysis reactor is under the thermodynamic equilibrium. This study is aimed to develop a steady-state model to simulate the pyrolysis of oil palm biomass wastes and to predict the effects of the main operating conditions on the production yields. The details of the proximate and ultimate analyses of the oil palm biomass wastes were applied as input parameters in the model. The specific yields from the pyrolysis process depend on operating conditions such as pyrolysis temperature, pressure, feed flow rate, and inert gas flow rate to maximize outputs. Simulation results showed that all the oil palm biomass wastes displayed a high bio-syngas yield (50.17-52.68%), a moderate bio-char yield (31.77-35.56%), however a low bio-oil yield (14.27-15.55%) at standard pyrolysis conditions. From the results, it can be inferred that the EFB is best suited for bio-syngas and bio-oil generation, whereas the PMF is appropriate for bio-char production. It is hoped that the current simulation model outcomes will be useful in determining the optimal values of the operating conditions of the pyrolysis process and helpful in the selection of feedstocks for bio-energy generation through pyrolysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]