Dr. Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak

By Asnida Yanti Ani, Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak and Khudzir Ismail

Part of the book: Biodiesel

By Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak, Siti Nur Ain Mohd Hassan, Siti Nurlia Ali, Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, Asnida Yanti Ani, Nur Nasulhah Kasim, Ali H. Jawad, Wan Izhan Nawawi Wan Ismail and Khudzir Ismail

Part of the book: Biofuels

By Razi Ahmad, Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak, Nur Nasulhah Kasim and Khudzir Ismail

This study describes the characteristic and thermal properties of torrefied palm kernel shell (PKS) by microwave irradiation pretreatment. The microwave power level (200, 300, 450, and 600 W) and processing time (4, 8, and 12 min) were used in this study. The pretreated samples were analyzed for mass and energy yield, calorific value, proximate and elemental composition, and thermal decomposition. Results showed that the characteristic of pretreated PKS was enhanced by increasing the microwave power level and processing the time. The oxygen content and O/C ratio of torrefied PKS were reduced by increasing the microwave power level. The carbon content of pretreated PKS, which was closed to the untreated MB coal properties with comparable calorific value, was obtained. The microwave power level of 450 W and processing time of 8 min were suitable to upgrade the PKS to a respectable quality feedstock. Thus, it can be concluded that the alteration in physical, chemical, and thermal properties of torrefied PKS discovered the potential of this feedstock to be applied in subsequent thermochemical conversion such as pyrolysis and gasification.

Part of the book: Biofuels