Recent Advances in Fluidized Bed Gasification of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Abstract

The chapter presents recent developments in the gasification of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) through fluidized bed gasifiers. The bioenergy potential of oil palm EFB as an environmentally friendly biomass is presented. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the prospects of utilising biomass gasification technology as a practical method for valorising EFB. The successful development and deployment of gasification for oil palm EFB depends on a critical understanding of the fundamental theories of the chemical reactions, classification, and operational parameters of biomass gasifiers. Hence, the potential use of fluidized bed gasifiers for oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) is highlighted in detail. Next, the analysis of the fundamental theories, assumptions, and equations of fluidization critical to fluidized bed gasification of EFB is presented. The chapter concludes by highlighting the potential of oil palm EFB as a low-cost, abundant, lignocellulosic feedstock for valorisation through fluidized bed gasification.