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Abstract

A thermal characteristics analysis of Tanzania's palm oil waste streams inclusive of the fibre, stem, branch, and shells for their suitability in the High Temperature Air/Steam Gasification (HTAG) is reported. Proximate analysis of the wastes reveals the energy content range from 15,000 kJ/kg to 25,000 kJ/kg. The wastes contain high alkaline oxides of potassium (K₂O) and sodium (Na₂O) that influence ash formation and behaviour, which affect equipment corrosion. The thermal degradation characteristics of palm waste system in application to HTAG suggest the main route of conversion to be during pyrolysis where 51% of the mass loss occurs as compared to 33% that occurred during the char degradation stage. The palm stem have comparative advantage to the other streams towards gasification. Its mass loss rate was about 9.90%/min.as opposed to 8.30% (branch), 6.60% (shell) and 4.50% (fibre) at a period of 30 minutes.

Keywords

Gasification Thermo-chemical Conversion Palm Waste Biomass Pyrolysis

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High Temperature Gasification Technology Prospects for Palm Wastes in Tanzania

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