Potential recovery of sugar-derivative compounds from hydrothermal treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch

Biomass is a promising alternative energy resource due to its sustainability and environmental friendliness. In addition, it is also a potential candidate for chemical feedstock since many chemicals can be extracted or synthesized from biomass. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a biomass waste coming from the oil extraction process in a palm oil mill. In this study, potential recovery of chemicals from such biomass waste will be explored by hydrothermal treatment. Slurry of 300 mL of water and 30 g of material was treated in a 500 mL batch autoclave in temperature range of 200-350°C and initial pressure of 2.0 MPa. The slurry was heated up gradually to designed temperature, and then was kept for 30 min residence time. After filtrated, the liquid product was obtained. The liquid products were analyzed by TOC meter and HPLC. The analysis result showed that the liquid product contained several valuable chemicals from the decomposition of sugar compounds such as glucose, xylose, furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), formic acid and acetic acid. Yield of each compound varies at different temperatures. At elevated temperature, yield of sugar- derivative compounds tends to decrease.