Harnessing Solar Energy for Pyrolysis of Empty Fruit Bunch: A Fresnel Lens Approach in Malaysia

Malaysia’s palm oil industry generates a significant amount of biomass waste, particularly empty fruit bunches (EFB). The conventional heating methods used in pyrolysis for converting EFB into value-added products are carbon-positive and decrease energy efficiency. Therefore, this study aims to explore the feasibility of solar pyrolysis using a Fresnel lens in Malaysia. The performance of the Fresnel lens-based solar pyrolysis reactor was evaluated, focusing on its thermal characteristics and biochar yield. The results indicated that, in the absence of EFB, the highest temperature within the reactor at the Fresnel lens’ focal point was 618 °C and the maximum solar irradiance value was 987 W/m2. When EFB was introduced, the temperature inside the reactor was maintained at around 500 °C. Biochar yields reached 40–45% for residence times of 20–30 min. These findings demonstrate the potential of concentrated solar energy for converting EFB into renewable energy and endorse the suitability of the Fresnel lens in harnessing solar energy for the pyrolysis process in Malaysia.