Evaluation of Biochar from Sago (Metroxylon Spp.) as a Potential Solid Fuel

Recently the accessibility of sago biomass has drawn considerable interest in research regarding the production of renewable energy. In this study, sago-derived biochar was evaluated and characterized as a solid fuel. Sago biochar was produced in an electric fluidized bed reactor at temperatures between 300 °C to 600 °C, with nitrogen flow rates of 50 mL/min to 100 mL/min for 10 to 30 min of process. The optimum condition to ensure the maximum biochar yield (47%) were obtained at 400 °C, 20 min of process and of 75 mL/min of nitrogen flow. The physicochemical properties of the final product were determined through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and elemental analysis techniques. The higher heating value (HHV) of the material was remarkably improved by almost 13% via pyrolysis. The experimental results showed that sago biomass can be considered a suitable source of solid fuel, especially in the industrial and domestic sectors in Sarawak, Malaysia.