Comparison of Optimized Production of Palm Oil Waste Biochar with Response Surface Methodology for Cement Replacement Application

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
² Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
³ Research Centre for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan

^* Corresponding author: Anurita.Selvarajoo@nottingham.edu.my

Abstract

Rising carbon emissions from cement production have drawn attention to the need for sustainable alternatives, as cement is a widely used building material. This has led to increased research into cement replacements, which can enhance the mechanical properties of mortar composites. In Malaysia, the growing palm oil industry has generated abundant palm waste, such as palm kernel shells and empty fruit bunches, making them viable candidates for biochar production. This study used response surface methodology to optimize the production of biochar from empty fruit bunches for potential use as a cement replacement. The pyrolysis parameters investigated included temperature, heating rate, and residence time, with responses measured in terms of biochar yield and chemical composition (carbon, oxygen, potassium, and silicon content). The optimal parameters were 455 °C, 15 °C/min, and 20 minutes, resulting in a biochar yield of 37%, along with 71.98% carbon, 23.40% oxygen, 0.61% potassium, and 3.68% silicon. These results were compared to biochar produced from palm kernel shells under similar conditions, underscoring the importance of selecting appropriate biomass for effective cement replacement. Ultimately, this research supports waste management in the palm oil industry and promotes sustainable construction practices.