Impact of Renewable Technology on Palm Fruit Fibre: Strategy for Climate Change and Adaptation

Abstract

This study aims to explore low temperature and pressure to extract the lignocellulosic content of palm fruit fibre and pyrolyse it for energy (bio-oil) and chemical feedstock productions as alternative technology to improper disposal causing environmental pollution as strategies for climate change and adaptation.Burning of refuse and agricultural residue releases harmful gases or carbon emission to the climate which cause global warming. Renewable technology can therefore be introduced to utilize agricultural residues to produce energy and chemical feedstock. Vacuum pyrolysis of the lignocellulosic material prepared from palm fruit fibre was performed by considering pyrolysis temperature of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 ℃ and biomass particle size of 0.25, 0.30, 0.42 and 0.55 mm. The bio-oil produced at different process parameters was then characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultimate analysis. The response was efficiently used for modeling and optimization of the process parameters. The results showed that experimented and predicted data are in reasonable agreement with the values of coefficient of determination, R² (0.8098) and Adj. R² (0.700). It was found that the optimal conditions for pyrolytic product were temperature 300℃, biomass particle size 0.55 mm and retention time between 14 and 18 min. Temperature and particle size had effect on the yielded gaseous products, liquid and char materials. And various chemical compounds were produced at different process parameters.  The contribution of renewable technology framework is a process of educating for climate stewardship, at this stage of practical and theoretical. It is good approach of converting residues to useful products as one of the ways of solving climate change problem with the relevant stakeholders that its true potential can be assessed. Educating the public for climate stewardship will be more effective if it adopts anapproach which seeks a co-production of knowledge. Clean environment with less global warming will be attained. This agricultural residue can be recommended for bio-fuel, bio-gas and used as chemical feedstock for industrial purpose. The char can also be used to increase soil organic components.  These benefits can therefore be used for policy making on residue disposal and as strategy for climate change and adaptation or mitigation in Nigeria and other African countries.

Keywords: Palm fruit fibre. Pyrolysis.Renewableenergy.Lignocellulose.Climate change

DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/10-3-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2019