A Study of the Potentiality of use of the Palm Midrib in Charcoal Production

Abstract

The objective of this study utilizes the residues of palm midrib to produce charcoal with satisfactory environmental, medical, and industrial applications. Choosing the palm midrib residues is based on its distribution all over Egypt and availability for Egyptian farmers. The study objective was achieved by passing with some steps. The first step prepared the samples, where used the two types of palm midrib samples Baladi and Siwei, then divided the palm midrib into five parts (top, middle, base, knee, and end), according to the dimension of the inner reactor. The second step is to design and manufactures a pyrolysis reactor( test rig) to produce charcoal. The third step is carbonization cycle process for the samples of palm midrib ten parts with quantity for all part, where the carbonization cycle process steps according to food and agriculture organization (FAO) standard. The four-step is experimental analysis for twenty samples of palm midrib ten parts (row material before carbonization) and palm midrib ten parts (after carbonization) in labs according to American society for testing and materials (ASTM) standards. The experimental analysis divided into proximate analysis such as (moisture content, ash content, volatility matter content, and fixed carbon content), ultimate analysis such as sulfur, and calorific value(also known as heating value or a specific value). Finally, After comparing the results of the experimental analysis for samples of Baladi and Siwei palm midrib parts (after carbonization) to FAO standard values. The potentiality of production of charcoal from Baladi and Siwei palm midribs with satisfactory properties has been proven. The procedure charcoal is suitabl