Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidant for the Wet Torrefaction of Palm Kernel Shell

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a green oxidant for hydrothermal treatment of biomass. In this research, the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an oxidant for the wet torrefaction of palm kernel shell (PKS). H₂O₂ as an non-polluting oxidant, can give extra intensity on reaction severity during the wet torrefaction process. The effect of H₂O₂ dosages from 0.0 M to 1.0 M at 200 °C was investigated. The mass yield of torrefied PKS varied from 59.8 wt. % to 50.6 wt. % as H₂O₂ dosage increased. The trends of greater fixed carbon content, higher ash content, and lower moisture content were similar for torrefied PKS treated with and without H₂O₂, as compared to raw PKS. The FTIR analysis revealed an increase in the breakdown of lignocellulosic components with torrefaction severity in the torrefied PKS. The average HHV was 21.62 MJ/kg for different H₂O₂ dosages. Overall, the findings demonstrated that H₂O₂ did not make a substantial contribution for further enhancing the solid fuel properties but a higher degradation of cellulose and lignin components to liquid was achieved during the wet torrefaction process.