Volume 19: Sustainable Energy Solutions for a Post-COVID Recovery towards a Better Future: Part II

Combustion characteristics during cofiring of palm empty fruit bunch, palm frond with bituminous coal Hariana, Arif Darmawan, Hanafi Prida Putra, Fairuz Milky Kuswa, M. Sholeh, Muhammad Aziz

Abstract

Low-rank and medium-rank coal currently dominate Indonesian coal. Unfortunately, while Indonesia produces coal, the country’s coal reserves are relatively limited. On the other hand, the use of biomass presents numerous challenges and has low thermal efficiency. Cofiring biomass and coal is thought to be an excellent solution to these issues while also extending the life of power plants. This research aimed to determine the characteristics of coal cofiring with empty fruit bunches and fronds. Coal and biomass fuels were, respectively, mixed with various blend ratios. The LINSEIS thermal analysis equipment is used to investigate combustion characteristics. The test was performed under an inert air atmosphere within atmospheric pressure. Each sample weighed about 5-10 mg, and the temperature was increased to 800℃ with a heating rate of 10℃/min. Some combustion parameters are obtained from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Results show coal cofiring 75% with 25% biomass (EFB and frond mixture) has the best combustion performance indicated by Rmax and Tmax values compared to other coal-biomass mixture combinations. Further investigation will focus on the kinetic aspect of the combustion process, including the impact of cofiring on the tendency to slagging and fouling.

Keywords cofiring, biomass, empty fruit bunch, TGA-DSC, thermal analysis.