The aim of this work was to evaluate the dielectric properties of impregnated and activated palm kernel shells (PKSs) samples using two activating agents, potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), at three impregnation ratios. The materials were characterized by moisture content, carbon content, ash content, thermal profile and functional groups. The dielectric properties were examined using an open-ended coaxial probe method at various microwave frequencies (1–6 GHz) and temperatures (25, 35, and 45°C). The results show that the dielectric properties varied with frequency, temperature, moisture content, carbon content and mass ratio of the ionic solids. PKSK1.75 (PKS impregnated with K2CO3 at a mass ratio of 1.75) and PKSN1.5 (PKS impregnated with NaOH at a mass ratio of 1.5) exhibited a high loss tangent (tan δ) indicating the effectiveness of these materials to be heated by microwaves. K2CO3 and NaOH can act as a microwave absorber to enhance the efficiency of microwave heating for low loss PKSs. Materials with a high moisture content exhibit a high loss tangent but low penetration depth. The interplay of multiple operating frequencies is suggested to promote better microwave heating by considering the changes in the materials characteristics.

To produce palm kernel shell (PKS) biocrude oil, a bubbling fluidized bed pyrolyzer was used with different sample sizes and reaction temperatures. The PKS sample sizes used were 0.1 ~ 0.4 mm, 0.4 ~ 1.0 mm, and 1.0 ~ 2.0 mm and the reaction temperature were 465oC, 490oC, 530oC, 560oC, and 590oC. The yield of PKS biocrude oil increased with decreasing the sample size. The maximum yield of PKS biocrude oil was 47.31% at 560oC with a PKS sample size of 0.1 ~ 0.4 mm. In addition, the maximum energy yield of PKS biocrude oil was 45.05% at 560oC and size 0.1 ~ 0.4 mm. Among the characteristics of PKS biocrude oil, the high heating values are from 15.98 MJ/Kg to 20.29 MJ/Kg, the moisture content is from 20.14wt.% to 31.57wt.%, and the viscosity ranges from 0.0117 N s/m2 to 0.0408 N s/m2. In addition, proximate analyses and elemental analysis of PKS biocrude oil were conducted.