Slow pyrolysis of Durio zibethinus rind and the influence of carbonization temperature on biochar properties

Abstract Due to rapid development in some countries that puts increasing urgency on the global community to replace non-renewable resources, Interest in harnessing energy from other sources like biomass has grown immensely in recent years. Biomass can be converted to energy through thermo-chemical and biological conversion routes. Pyrolysis is one the thermo-chemical methods to transform biomass into useable fuels. Pyrolysis conducted without the presence of oxygen at high temperatures results in the production of biochar, bio-oil and gases. The aim of this work was to perform pyrolysis experiments for durian rinds with the emphasis on the characterization of the rinds and their biochars. The pyrolysis of durian rinds was performed in a horizontal tubular reactor at temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 °C. The effects of temperature together with holding time on the yield of biochar and heating value were investigated. It was found that the pyrolysis operating temperature had a significant effect on the yield of biochar, heating value and elemental composition of the biochar. Increment of pyrolysis temperature from 300 to 700 °C, showed a decrease in the total biochar yield, while the heating value increased. The optimum temperature was found at 325 °C with a holding time of two hours. The biochar yield obtained at optimum temperature was 40.8 %wt with a heating value of 28.7 MJ/kg. In conclusion, the results from the pyrolysis showed the durian rinds has potential to be converted into solid biofuel that can be used for energy application.