Microwave pyrolysis of oil palm fiber (OPF) for hydrogen production: Parametric investigation

The microwave assisted pyrolysis of oil palm fiber (OPF) for production of hydrogen rich gas was experimentally investigated by considering different reaction parameters. Five different OPF sample sizes (i.e., lengths less than 1 mm, 1-3 mm, 4-6 mm, 7-9 mm and 10-12 mm), microwave power ranging from 400 W to 900 W, reaction temperatures ranging from 450 degrees C to 700 degrees C and N-2 flow rates ranging 200-1200 cm(3) min(-1) were tested. The hydrogen and the total gas yield from all process parameters have been reported. The microwave assisted pyrolysis was carried out by using a microwave reactor which has a capacity of providing 2450 +/- 25 MHz microwave frequency. It has been found that the use of a smaller OPF particle sizes, a higher microwave power, a higher reaction temperature and a higher N-2 flow rates significantly yields more H-2 rich gas. The char produced at the maximum hydrogen yield process parameter was considered for TGA and SEM analyses and the results shows a potential use for the soil fertilization. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.