Potentials for Generating Alternative Fuels from Empty Palm Fruit Bunches byPyrolysis

The threat that the disposal of empty palm fruit bunches constitute to communities in oil palm processing areas in Nigeria coupled with the current global focus on alternative energy is the trigger for this work. An existing pyrolytic reactor consisting of a reactor unit, condensate receiver, copper pipe connectors and gas receiver was modified and adapted for converting empty palm fruit bunches to alternative fuels. The average char yield was 44.9%, and the percentage of feedstock converted into pyrogas and tar oil was 55.1%. The char yield decreased gradually as temperature was increased from 300-700°C. Char yield was highest (39.78%) when the temperature was 300°C and the lowest char yield was 25.05% at 700°C The calorific values of char ranged between 21.12 and 23.76 MJ/kg. Apart from the potential of generating energy from pyrolysed EFB, it abates the disposal problem that EFB constitutes in the oil palm industry.