Identification of Compounds Released During Pyrolysis of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) Using Pyrolysis-GC/MS

Dieni Mansur (Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences Kawasan Puspiptek Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314, Indonesia)
Sabar Pangihutan Simanungkalit (Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences Kawasan Puspiptek Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314, Indonesia)

Reaktor
Volume 17 No. 4 Desember 2017

Pyrolysis is one of thermochemical conversion to convert biomass into bio-oil. The higher energy content in bio-oil suggests its potential as a raw material in the production of energy, bio-fuels, and other chemicals. Pyrolysis of PKS and the chemicals released were studied using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) at 400-600°C. Prior to pyrolysis, thermogravimetry experiments were carried out to monitor the degradation temperature of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin in the PKS. Degradation of hemicellulose occurred within a temperature range of 150-330°C, whereas the cellulose was degraded in temperatures range between 330-400°C. Degradation of lignin took place within a broad range of temperatures, which reached maximum at temperatures range of 200-500°C. Based on the Py-GC/MS results, pyrolysis of PKS at 400°C produced bio-oil that can be used as biofuel due to its high aromatic compounds but low carboxylic acids contents. Keywords: bio-oil; chemical; palm kernel shell; Py-GC/MS; thermogravimetry .