http://eprints.usm.my/13216/1/oil_palm_biomass.pdf

Oil palm biomass as a sustainable energy source: a malaysian case study

Catalytic processes towards the production of biofuels in a palm oil and oil palm biomass-based biorefinery

Malaysia is among the top most important palm oil producers in the world. The country is experiencing a robust development in new oil palm plantations and palm oil mills. This commodity plays a significant role in the Malaysia economic growth. As this industry becomes bigger and wider, a substantial amount of oil palm wastes is generated and create the problem of biomass waste overload. This problem tends to burden the operators with disposal difficulties and escalates the operating cost. Oil palm waste has significant potential in many applications. Traditionally, through mechanical conversion, some of the wastes are converted into organic fertilizers, animal feedstock or soil conditioner in oil palm plantations. Apart from mechanical conversion, thermochemical processes such as direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis and liquefaction are the methods that are useful to transform the waste into value-added products. Recently, liquefaction has gained good attention in order to utilize the waste because of its simplicity and ability to yield a product that combine both of the useful functional groups present in liquefying solvents and the biomass. Within the scope, the objective of this paper is to review the current situation related to the oil palm industry in Malaysia, availability of the oil palm waste and its utilization through thermochemical conversion, with specific regards to the liquefaction process.

An overview of the oil palm industry in Malaysia and its waste utilization through thermochemical conversion, specifically via liquefaction

The potential of the Malaysian oil palm biomass as a renewable energy source

Characterization of empty fruit bunch for microwave-assisted pyrolysis

Palm oil industry generates vast amount of palm biomass. Converting palm biomass into a uniform and solid fuel through briquetting process appears to be an attractive solution in upgrading its properties and add value. In this study, raw materials including empty fruit bunch (EFB), in powder and fibre forms, palm kernel expeller (PKE) and sawdust were densified into briquettes at high temperature and pressure using screw extrusion technology. The briquettes were analysed to determine its physical and chemical properties, mechanical strength and burning characteristics. It was found that briquettes made either from 100% pulverized EFB or mixed with sawdust exhibited good burning properties. EFB fibre and PKE, due to their physical properties, were recommended to be blended with sawdust in producing quality briquettes. In overall, converting palm biomass into briquettes has increased its energy content and reduced moisture content about minimum of 5% and 38% respectively compared to its raw materials. The properties of palm biomass briquettes obtained from the study were compared to the commercial sawdust briquettes properties and to the minimum requirements of DIN 51731. The details of the study were highlighted in this paper. Palm biomass briquettes can become an important renewable energy fuel source in the future.

Y. M. Choo

Papers

Oil Palm Biomass As Potential Substitution Raw Materials For Commercial Biomass Briquettes Production

Briquetting of empty fruit bunch fibre and palm shell as a renewable energy fuel.