INTEGRATION OF HYDROTHERMAL TREATMENT AND HYDROCHAR DENSIFICATION PROCESS OF EMPTY PALM OIL FRUIT FRUIT (EFB)

Abstract

This invention integrates hydrothermal treatment and densification to convert oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) into high-calorie fuel. The process of improving biomass quality (hydrochar) by processing OPEFB at a OPEFB / water mass ratio of 1 / 4 - 1 / 12, a temperature of 130°C - 250°C, a pressure of 4-30 bar, and a residence time of 60 minutes. The quality of the resulting hydrochar shows an increase in calorific value of 8% to 32% compared to raw OPEFB, with the highest increase achieved at a ratio of 1 / 5 and a temperature of 230°C. The hydrochar is then processed into fuel through densification at a pressure of 100 kg / cm2. The fuel resulting from this integrated process has the advantage of a significant increase in high bulk density (mass density), making it an efficient solid fuel for storage, handling, and utilization in various types of combustion furnaces.