•  On Feb, 15, 2018
•  admin
•   Palm Fibre

Many biomass boilers have converted to use shredded EFB Fibre as one of the important biomass in Malaysia, however the moisture content for shredded EFB fibre is favourable as an important biomass for boiler? Let us reveal some of the situation here.

What is the moisture for Shredded EFB Fibre?

The moisture for EFB itself which newly discharge from crude palm oil mill may reach as high as 70% moisture, apart from steam water moisture; it also consists of small amount of crude palm oil. This is why some of the crude palm oil mill wants to further proceed to press the EFB for further salvage the crude palm oil.

After press and shredded, the moisture for shredded EFB fibre may reduce to 50-55%, again also may fluctuate depends on the press machine and shredded machine design and maintenance status.

The shredded EFB fibre will be transport to biomass factory who may locate at 100km away from the crude palm oil mill. The moisture of shredded EFB fibre measure at biomass plant may reach at 60-65%.

Why Shredded EFB Fibre Moisture Increase?

The newly shredded EFB fibre is normally warmer, this imply the existence of latent heat in this shredded EFB fibre. More over the during transportation, the shredded EFB fibre will be packed and covered under canvas, this will further accelerate the fermentation process which water moisture is the by-product.

We have proof that the increase of moisture for shredded EFB fibre mainly due to fermentation process.

Biomass Boiler prefers dry or wet EFB fibre?

For sure, from boiler stand point, dry EFB fibre is preferred. Wet EFB fibre will cause insufficient burning and more over a substantial amount of heat has been used to evaporate the moisture content in EFB fibre. Hence, the heat that eventually goes to biomass boiler process may much lesser than the calorific value it initially quotes.

Suggestion to improve moisture content for EFB fibre.

From our study, we find out cool down the EFB fibre with sufficient air ventilation maybe one of the best method to reduce moisture content. This action will reduce the latent heat for EFB fibre which newly go through shredded process.

Reduce EFB piling up time and store in indoor maybe another action, this is mainly reduce the EFB fibre exposure to rain or condensate water due to climate temperature change.