Catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied empty fruit bunch (EFB) with sulphated zirconia

In this study, empty fruit bunch (EFB) was utilised as a feedstock in the pyrolysis process using a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of a sulphated zirconia catalyst after it underwent a torrefaction process in a furnace. The optimisation of process parameters such as catalyst to biomass ratio (factor A) and nitrogen flow rate (factor B) was investigated through Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) using Stat-Ease Design Expert software version 7 with bio-oil yield considered as the response. Eleven experimental runs were performed at a fixed pyrolysis temperature of 500°C and a 20 K/min heating rate. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysed the results. The model was statistically significant. Factor A and the interaction between AB were significant parameters with a p-value < 0.05. The value of R² was 0.8951, which indicated that the selected factors and their levels showed a good correlation to the bio-oil yield from catalytic pyrolysis of the torrefied EFB process. A linear model equation was developed to predict the highest bio-oil yield. The highest bio-oil yield of 42.07 wt% was achieved when the reaction was performed without the catalyst and at a nitrogen flow rate of 100 cm³/min.