A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW OF OIL PALM RESIDUES FOR THERMOCHEMICAL BIOENERGY CONVERSION IN WEST AFRICA

Agricultural biomass residues, such as palm kernel shells (PKSS), empty fruit bunches (EFBS), and palm kernel fibers, are produced in substantial quantities from oil palm processing, particularly in tropical regions like West Africa. These residues constitute a significant yet underutilized renewable resource for sustainable bioenergy production. This systematic review seeks to assess the intellectual structure of knowledge related to the bioenergy potential and thermochemical conversion of these residues. A structured literature search was conducted using the Scopus database, focusing on peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. This study reports the proximate and ultimate analysis, calorific value, moisture and ash content, and combustion and pyrolysis.

VOS viewer software was utilized for bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and knowledge clusters. The mapping of keyword co-occurrences demonstrated strong thematic connections among "palm kernel shell," "pyrolysis," "heating value," and "bioenergy," thereby highlighting key research areas. The frequency of research currently attracting the most attention in this field is also presented to consolidate the current knowledge on oil palm biomass residues and propose an actionable model for optimizing their use in domestic and industrial thermal energy systems. It also highlights critical gaps and opportunities for further research in developing localized, scalable biofuel technologies to accelerate the clean energy transition in biomass-rich developing regions.