Testing Pellets Fuel Production from Sewage Sludge of Palm Oil Industry

Abstract

The wastes from the palm oil production process were used in this study, such as wastewater sludge and cake decenter or decanter waste. That moisture was less than 40% and increased density by the cold pelletizing process. The aim is to use pellet fuel for heating. Analysis of pellet fuel consists of physical properties, proximate (moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon) and heating value. The results showed that cake decenter and wastewater sludge had similar high volatile matter. The decenter cake had a higher heating value than the wastewater sludge at 26.649 and 14.965 MJ/kg, respectively. The ash of decenter cake was lower than wastewater at 11.71% and 22.34%, respectively. Blending both raw materials for pelletization increased the volatile matter that did not mix with another material. Therefore, both materials can be used to produce pellet fuel that has an optimal shape and size. That was hard to break. The results of chemical property testing show that it is within acceptable limits and can be used as pellet fuel.