Pyrolysis with intermediate heating rate of palm kernel shells: Effect temperature and catalyst on product distribution

Authors: Joko Waluyo^1,2^,^b), I. G. B.N. Makertiharta¹, and Herri Susanto¹^,^a)

This study describes the use of intermediate pyrolysis to produce bio-oil, char and pyrolysis gas from palm kernel shell. The experiments were conducted in a tubular reactor with a diameter of about 15 mm. About 10-gram PKS was pyrolyzed with a heating rate 75°C/min, under the flowing of N₂ at a constant flow rate 200 mL/min. The reactor temperature is increased to the desired temperature of 400, 500, and 600°C. The modified zeolite was used as a catalyst to cracking the tar of pyrolysis product. The yield product for oil, water, char, gaseous from intermediate pyrolysis at 600°C were 39%, 8%, 28% and 25%, respectively. The resulting tar conversion using modified zeolite as a catalyst was 33%. The main component of bio-oil (tar) was the phenolic group and the presence of zeolite could eliminate the content of acetic acid in bio-oil (tar).