Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH)

Vol. 36, No. 3, July 2017, pp. 987 – 990

Copyright© Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
Print ISSN: 0331-8443, Electronic ISSN: 2467-8821
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.44

PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE ANALYSIS OF FUEL PELLETS FROM OIL PALM RESIDUES

U. P. Onochie1, A. I. Obanor2, S. A. Aliu3 and O. O. Ighodaro4, *

1, 2, 3, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ENERGY AND ENVT. UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE. NIGERIA
4, DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE. NIGERIA.

E-mail addresses: [email protected], 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected],

4 [email protected]

ABSTRACT
This study carried out an investigation on the proximate and ultimate analysis of fuel pellets from oil palm residues such
as palm kernel shell, PKS, palm fibre, PF and empty fruit bunch, EFB using the ASTM standards. The results obtained were
compared. The percentage moisture content of the pellets, PKS, PF and EFB were 9.68%, 10.77%, 12.07% respectively.
This is significantly lower than the percentage moisture content of the raw residues given as 10.23%, 11.10% and
15.01% respectively. High volatile matter content in the fuel pellets indicates that there would be ease of ignition during
combustion. The results also show that the pellets have a lower ash content of 0.69%, 3.69% and 3.72% as against that of
the raw residues, which is 3.24%, 7.90% and 4.48% respectively. There was really no significant reduction in emission of
sulphur gases between the fuel pellets and the raw residues except for the Palm Fibre, PF, pellets and raw residues that
varies. Essentially, from the general results obtained from the analysis, it can be deduced that pellets are more suitable
for boilers in steam power plants.

Keywords: Oil Palm Residues, Fuel Pellets, Proximate Analysis, Ultimate Analysis

1. INTRODUCTION Fuel pellets produced under different conditions have

The increase in the demand of renewable energy such as been reported to have different handling characteristics
biomass is significantly growing worldwide [1] [2]. [8]. These characteristics are also found to be strongly
Biomass is used in various forms and as fuel for energy affected by the raw material properties. If pellets from
utilisation. Generally, biomass is generated in abundance biomass or agro-waste are to be used efficiently and
in Nigeria and is normally used as fuel in its loose form. rationally as fuel for combustion in boilers, they must be
Pelletizing of this biomass resources into pellets is a way characterized to determine parameters such as the
of ensuring a sustainable solid fuel for effective and moisture content, calorific value, ash content, density,
efficient combustion purposes. The majority of pellets volatile matter, fixed carbon, carbon content, oxygen
produced globally utilises wood chips as a feedstock [1]. content, sulphur content among others. The result of
However, due to realistic harvest yields and recovery these determinations indicates the positive and negative
rates, wood as a feedstock may not meet the growing attributes of the pellets from agro waste and other
demand for pellets [3], and alternative feed-stocks such biomass resources. Among the positive attributes of
as palm kernel shell, palm fibre and empty fruit bunch agro-waste pellets are low moisture content, high
also generated in abundance will therefore be required density, flame propagation, low ash content, low sulphur
to meet this growing demand. Biomass as a feedstock content, high amount of carbon, and substantial heating
varies widely in its chemical composition [4 – 6]. The value. In [9], it was reported that moisture content is a
varying components include moisture content (MC), total very important property which affects the burning
carbon content (TCC), sulphur content (SC) and ash characteristics of biomass material. Volatile matter
content (AC); variation is due to factors including content has also been shown to influence the thermal
varying harvest dates and methods, weather conditions, behaviour of solid fuels [10]. The proximate and ultimate
plant genetics and soil composition [7]. These proximate compositions of agro waste pellets vary from one type to
and ultimate values have an effect on quality parameters another. Since pellets can be made from wide varieties of
e.g. the HHV of the biomass pellets [5]. agro-residues, selection of the best pellets has to be
made based on the analysis of its proximate and ultimate

* Corresponding author, tel: 234 – 803 – 763 – 6911

 PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE ANALYSIS OF FUEL PELLETS FROM OIL PALM RESIDUES U. P. Onochie, et al

compositions. This will go a long way to ensuring Where, VM is the volatile matter, MC is the moisture
judicious use of these wastes. In this study, fuel pellets content and Ash is the Ash content
made from oil palm residues such as palm kernel shell
PKS, palm fibre PF, and empty fruit bunch EFB, were 2.2 Determination of Ultimate Analysis
subjected to proximate and ultimate analysis in order to The ultimate analysis is the chemical properties of the
determine their suitability for combustion in boilers for fuel and it consists of the carbon content, oxygen content,
power generation. hydrogen content, nitrogen content and sulphur content.
The formula used for determining the constituent of the
2. METHODOLOGY ultimate analysis is according to[11]:
Pellets were produced from oil palm residues i.e. Palm
Kernel Shell, Palm Fibre and Empty Fruit Bunch, using 2.2.1 Carbon content
waste paper as a binder. The ASTM standard D5373-02
of 2003 was adopted for the proximate analysis while an
ASTM analytical method was used for the ultimate In (5), B is the Blank Titre, T is the Sample Titre, M is the
analysis as prescribed by [11]. molarity of the acid used and g is the Weight of sample

2.1 Determination of Proximate Analysis 2.2.2 Nitogen content

The proximate analysis is the physical properties of the
fuel and it consist of the moisture content, ash content,
volatile matter as well the fixed carbon. The formula Here, M is the molarity of the acid used, g is the Weight of
used for determining the constituent of the proximate sample, T is the Titre value and DF is the Dillusion factor
analysis is thus: diluted

2.1.1 Moisture content 2.2.3 Sulphur content

Procedure: Each sample of mass 10g were measured and
placed in the porcelain separately. The porcelain and its
content were then oven dried at 110oC to a constant Here, g is the weight of sample and is the weight of
weight for 3 hours. The formula is given below: BaSO4

2.2.4 Hydrogen content

In (1), g is the Weight of sample, is the Weight of dry
matter and (g – is the Loss in weight
2.2.5 Oxygen content
2.1.2 Ash Content
The muffle furnace was used to analyze the ash contenet
of the pellets. 3. RESULTS
3.1 Results of Proximate Analysis of Fuel Pellets and Raw
( )
Residues
Here, g is the weight of sample and is the weight of ash The result from the proximate analysis of the fuel pellets
and raw residues (PKS, PF and EFB) are shown in Table
2.1.3 Volatile Matter 1 and Table 2 respectively. The moisture content of a fuel
( ) has a great influence on the energy value and combustion
performance of the fuel. From literature, good moisture
Here, g is the weight of sample, is the Weight of dry content ranges between 8-12% and less. This is
matter and y is the Weight of residue considered as key for a good and sustainable
combustion.
2.1.4 Fixed Carbon

Table 1: Proximate Analysis of Fuel Pellets

Fuel Pellets % Moisture % Ash % Fixed Carbon % Volatile Matter
Palm Kernel Shell, PKS 9.68 0.69 5.53 84.10
Palm Fibre, PF 10.77 3.69 1.51 84.03
Empty Fruit Bunch, EFB 12.07 3.72 1.23 82.98

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 PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE ANALYSIS OF FUEL PELLETS FROM OIL PALM RESIDUES U. P. Onochie, et al

Table 2: Proximate Analysis of Raw Residues

Raw Residues % Moisture % Ash % Fixed Carbon % Volatile Matter
Palm Kernel Shell, PKS 10.23 3.24 1.42 85.11
Palm Fibre, PF 11.10 7.90 1.01 80.08
Empty Fruit Bunch, EFB 15.01 4.48 0.98 79.58

Thus, from the result of the moisture content analysis of operations, high ash content value could be detrimental
the pellets, it shows that the pellets have a moisture as it contributes to slagging of water tube surfaces in
content that ranges between 9-12% as shown in Table 1. boilers. It also reduces handling and burning capacity,
This means that the fuel pellets have good moisture increases handling costs, affects combustion efficiency
content. This will influence the energy value and and boiler efficiency. Therefore, the values of the ash
combustion performance of the pellets. In comparison, content obtained in the fuel pellets are considerably
the result of the fuel pellets also shows that there is a minimal when compared to higher values obtained in the
significant reduction in the percentage moisture content raw residues. This means that the reduction in ash
as against that obtained from the raw residues which content of the pellets makes them more suitable for
ranges between 10-15% and regarded as not quiet power generation.
suitable. Essentially, it means that fuel pellets are more
effective, efficient and sustainable than the raw residues 3.2 Results of Ultimate Analysis of Raw Oil Palm Residue
when considered and used as an alternative fuel to fire The results from the ultimate analysis of the raw
boilers in steam power stations. residues (PKS, PF and EFB) are shown in Table 3 and
The amount of fixed carbon and volatile combustible Table 4 respectively.
matter directly contribute to the heating value. Table 1 From Tables 3 and 4, there was really no significant
shows higher volatile matter content in the fuel pellets reduction in emission of sulphur gases between the
and this indicates that there would be easy of ignition pellets and the raw residues except for the PF pellets and
during combustion as against that of the raw residues PF raw residues that vary. However, both fuels have good
with lower volatile matter as shown in Table 2. Fixed and considerable low sulphur contentas according
carbon acts as a main heat generator during burning. As toBureau of Energy Efficiency, normal sulphur content
expected, the amount of fixed carbon contained in the for fuels ranges from 0.5 to 0.8% normally. Corrosion is
pellets is higher than that contained in the raw residues, the main disadvantage of high sulphur content by
which of course have a large influence on the calorific sulphuric acid formed during and after combustion, and
values. This means that the pellets would be more condensing in cool parts of the chimney, economiser and
sustainable for power generation than the raw residues. air pre heater. The percentage sulphur content as
Again, in Table 1 and 2, the results also show that the obtained in the results is considerably minimal for each
pellets have a significant lower ash content compared to of the fuels (pellets and raw residues). However, the with
the raw residues. This is due to the fact the pellets are in low sulphur content in the PF pellets, it is expected that
solid form and burns slowly and sustainably unlike the there would be slow corrosion rate in the boiler if pellets
raw residues in loose form which burns faster and are used.
incomplete, thus forming a lot of ash. In boiler

Table 3: Ultimate Analysis of Fuel Pellets

Fuel Pellets % Carbon % Nitrogen % Sulphur % Hydrogen % Oxygen
Palm Kernel Shell, PKS 46.28 0.90 0.10 5.59 46.44
Palm Fibre, PF 39.90 2.01 0.12 5.40 48.88
Empty Fruit Bunch, EFB 42.91 0.45 0.10 5.27 47.55

Table 4: Ultimate Analysis of Raw Residues

Raw Residues % Carbon % Nitrogen % Sulphur % Hydrogen % Oxygen
Palm Kernel Shell, PKS 47.88 0.94 0.10 5.15 42.69
Palm Fibre, PF 42.20 2.21 0.14 5.21 42.34
Empty Fruit Empty, EFB 43.89 0.52 0.10 5.33 54.32

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 PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE ANALYSIS OF FUEL PELLETS FROM OIL PALM RESIDUES U. P. Onochie, et al

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