Feasibility study of on-site recycling of palm oil waste as biofuel in malaysia / Yow Hui Ming

Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology

Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2024

Includes bibliographical references

Malaysia produces approximately 168 million tonnes of biomass, including palm oil waste, rice husks, coconut debris, sugar cane waste, urban waste, and forestry waste. The abundance of biomass resources provides a competitive advantage over other renewable energy sources. However, the industry faces restrictions and challenges, such as high disposal costs, electricity consumption, and related expenses. To address these issues, it is crucial to study the types of biomass available, the current technology for biomass energy production (waste-to-energy), and the relevant environmental motivations, initiatives, and legislation. This research analyzes the agricultural waste from oil palm available for energy generation, the existing technologies to convert waste into energy, and the role of environmental policies in the agricultural processing business. Energy recycling, which involves utilizing agricultural waste to generate electricity and thermal energy, is proposed as a viable solution. Several technologies are explored, including anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration/combustion, and pyrolysis, each with advantages and disadvantages. The classification of oil palm waste in Malaysia is carried out to understand the type of oil palm waste available. The energy potential of each type of palm oil waste is quantified using regression modeling which involved data collected from 3 different companies from 2020 to 2021 from the oil palm industry. First, the biomass potential is calculated using the total mass and the moisture content. The shell was found to have the highest biomass potential of 19 kT/month. Then, the energy potential for each technology, namely, anaerobic digestion, combustion, and gasification, is calculated, using the experimental yield found in the literature to convert the biomass into combustible gases. Gasification was found to have the highest energy potential of 98,235,030 kWh/year for shell biomass. Subsequently, the efficiency of electricity generation as a result of burning these combustible gases is quantified. Similarly to the energy potential, the shell gives the highest energy when it undergoes gasification with an electricity yield of 655.59 mil kWh/year. Based on that capacity, the cost and other techno-economic indicators such as cash flow and payback period are calculated and compared for the different technologies. The model is then compared with industrial data and found to be 23% lower in biogas yield and 6% higher in energy conversion efficiency. Gasification is also found to produce the largest amount of electrical energy, 655.59 mil kWh / year, while anaerobic digestion has the shortest payback period of 2.70 years. Thermochemical processes are also highlighted for their effectiveness, requiring minimal pre-treatment, shorter reaction times, and adaptability to various biomass feedstocks and climatic conditions. The implementation of incentives, initiatives, and policies by the Malaysian government serves as guidelines for the oil palm agricultural processing industry to adopt energy recycling practices. By emphasising energy sustainability and promoting green technology, the industry can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape. In summary, this study has presented several different technologies for biomass energy production and their advantages and disadvantages to allow industry players to make a more informed decision about decarbonization and green energy.