Optimizing Pyrolysis Temperature for the Biochar Produced from the Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Based on the Removal of Nickel and Copper Ions in Water

Lim, Kai Yue (2020) Optimizing Pyrolysis Temperature for the Biochar Produced from the Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches Based on the Removal of Nickel and Copper Ions in Water. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Biochars were produced from Raw, Factory, and pre-treated Factory Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) at five pyrolysis temperatures: 300 ˚C, 400 ˚C, 500 ˚C, 600 ˚C, 700 ˚C, labelled as REFBB X, FEFBB X, and PTFEFBB X, respectively, and where X denotes the pyrolysis temperature the EFB was served at. This study aims to investigate the optimum pyrolysis temperature based on the removal of nickel and copper, to investigate the leaching of pH after sorption by biochars, and to determine the particle sizes and ash content of biochar. The effectiveness of nickel and copper removal test by these biochars shows optimum pyrolysis temperature for biochar production based on nickel removal was achieved by REFBB 700 (94.45 %). FEFBB 500 (98.00 %), and PTFEFBB 700 (41.81 %) at the pH of 8.95, 8.95, and 7.02 respectively, while, the optimum pyrolysis temperature for biochar production based on copper removal was achieved by REFBB 500 (98.52 %), FEFBB 600 (99.00 %), and PTFEFBB 700 (66.97%) at the pH of 9.25, 8.94, and 5.43 respectively. It was found that REFBB and FEFBB show a high pH and potassium concentration after sorption of nickel and copper, however, PTFEFBB shows a lower pH and potassium concentration compared to FEFBB. Furthermore, the pH and potassium concentration after sorption of nickel and copper was found to increase with pyrolysis temperature, except for the potassium concentration after sorption of nickel by PTFEFBB which was found to decrease with pyrolysis temperature. It was observed that FEFBB 300 to FEFBB 700 shows particle sizes mainly between < 1 mm and > 75