HYDROCHAR PRODUCTION METHOD FROM PALM OIL BIOMASS WASTE

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for producing high-quality hydrochar from lignocellulosic waste of oil palm, specifically fronds, shells and Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB), through the Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) process. The main problems addressed are the abundance of palm oil waste that has the potential to pollute the environment and the low chemical stability of conventional hydrochar. This method is carried out by mixing 2 kg of palm biomass flour with deionized water (ratio 1:10) in an autoclave reactor made of platinum-coated steel. The reactor system is vacuumed for 2 minutes and injected with nitrogen gas to create airtight conditions to improve carbonization and product stability. The HTC process is run at an operational temperature between 2200 C - 280°C, for 30 minutes with pressure control maintained below 40 bar.After cooling and phase separation, the solid precipitate was oven-dried at 80°C for 3 days to produce stable, dry hydrochar. This invention produces an environmentally friendly soil amendment with a more stable carbon structure and increased carbon content compared to conventional methods.