Exergo-economic study of the process for obtaining biochar derived from oil palm kernel shell on an experimental and pilot scale.

A study was carried out to determine the exergy cost of biochar production based on oil palm kernel shell by slow pyrolysis in an experimental and a pilot furnace. Initially, mass, energy and exergy flows were evaluated by applying the Specific Exergy Costing (SPECO) scaling methodology, based on the resource-product concept. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the equipment were determined and the exergy cost was calculated. The exergy cost of 1 kg of biochar is 38990 $-kJ/kJ for the experimental furnace and 206 $-kJ/kJ for the pilot furnace. In summary, the exergy cost of biochar can vary depending on the equipment, operating conditions and the location where it is produced. It is recommended to make use of the heat and energy contained in the gases to optimize the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]