Evaluation of Torrefied Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) and Kenaf Combustion Characteristics: Comparison Study between EFB and Kenaf Based on Microstructure Analysis and Thermogravimetric Methods

To enrich biomass research, particularly for empty fruit bunch (EFB) and kenaf, this study focused on particle size and body structure thickness using a combination of reflected light petrography microscopy and image analysis. Torrefaction was chosen as a prior treatment to upgrade EFB and kenaf fuel properties, and comparisons were made between raw and torrefied samples. Combustibility characteristics were analyzed using a thermogravimetric method. From raw sample combustion characteristics, kenaf shown better combustibility than EFB, while for torrified cases, both were shown the same curve pattern as their raw materials, but with each torrefied case showing shifting phenomena from the previous conditions. These phenomena were in line with the difference in the microstructure properties of both EFB and kenaf. The results indicate that the biomass microstructure properties studied here can be observed using microscopy enhanced with image processing and analysis and that particle size and thickness can affect combustion and kinetic properties in combustion tests.