AUTHOR=Hamzah Nurul Syazmimi , Idris Siti Shawalliah , Rahman Norazah Abd , Abu Bakar Noor Fitrah , Matali Sharmeela 

TITLE=Thermal Analysis of Co-Utilization of Empty Fruit Bunch and Silantek Coal Under Inert Atmosphere Using Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Energy Research

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/energy-research/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2020.608756

DOI=10.3389/fenrg.2020.608756

ISSN=2296-598X

ABSTRACT=Agricultural residues have been traditionally used as energy resources for many years ago. In light of current environmental and fossil fuel supply for energy applications, agricultural residues are regarded as sustainable supply for energy production. However, the suitability to be renewable Agricultural residues have been traditionally used as energy resources for many years ago. In light of current environmental and fossil fuel supply for energy applications, agricultural residues are regarded as sustainable supply for energy production. However, the suitability to be renewable fuel and as a co-fuel in coal combustion facility has to be investigated. A thermal analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of blending and heating rate of the thermal behavior of Malaysian bituminous coal (Silantek), oil palm biomass (empty fruit bunch), and their blends using thermogravimetric analysis. The investigation was done in an inert atmosphere at the heating rate of 10, 20, and            40 °C/min. Characteristics including proximate, ultimate, and calorific analyses were also examined. Six different mass ratios were selected from both samples to study the effect of blending of the two materials. The results showed that, thermal degradation of empty fruit bunch (EFB) occurred in three stages while Silantek coal (SC) only involved two regions due to their different fuel properties. The blending of both SC/EFB did not follow their individual sample, which showed non-additive behavior suggesting that there is an interaction between coal and biomass. The outcome of this research provides insight on the behavior of Malaysian bituminous coal and oil palm biomass, which enhance knowledge for future energy generation.