A review on sustainability and quality of biochar production from oil palm biomass in Malaysia using thermal conversion technology

^a HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research (CBBR), Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
^b HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research (CBBR), Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: drsuzana_yusup@utp.edu.my

Abstract

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), mesocarp fiber (MF), palm kernel shell (PKS), oil palm trunk (OPT) and oil palm frond (OPF) are the common solid lignocellulosic biomass generated from oil palm industries. A palm oil plantation was estimated to generate 36.5 ton of dry biomass in each hectare every year which suggesting the abundancy of these wastes. Feedstock feasibility and common properties as a carbon-rich material, have initiated an interest to utilize these biomass for biochar production. This paper provides a review on the developed thermal conversion technologies to synthesize biochar from oil palm biomass and includes the respective product quality such as carbon contents, yield and other physicochemical properties. The sustainability of oil palm biomass as the feedstock for biochar production in Malaysia were also described by providing the overview on biomass availability, biomass industry value chain and respective characteristics. Determining appropriate type of biomass and applying effective type of thermal conversion technologies produce biochar with good physicochemical qualities. This review observed that lignin in biomass contributes significantly to biochar production and slow pyrolysis technique is a promising technology to yield a good quality of biochar.