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Bioelectricity Potential Of Oil Palm Waste In Malaysia

Conference Paper · November 2015

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2219.9761

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BIOELECTRICITY POTENTIAL OF OIL PALM WASTE IN MALAYSIA
Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma

Institute of Future Energy, Centre for Hydrogen Energy,

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Corresponding author email: bbnyax1@gmail.com , bnbevan2@live.utm.my

ABSTRACT
The paper examines the bioelectric energy potential of oil palm waste (OPW) generated from crude palm
oil production (CPO) in Malaysia. It presents a synopsis of historical developments of palm oil
production in the Malaysia palm oil industry from 1920 to 2014 as well as the various types and
quantities of OPW generated annually. The current status and future developments of OPW valorization
for bioelectricity production is briefly highlighted. Lastly, analysis of dynamic challenges as well as the
future prospects of valorizing OPW into bioelectric energy was also evaluated using socioeconomic,
technical and environmental criteria. The results revealed that the valorization of OPW into bioelectricity
can potentially yield 74.5 - 119 MWh of electricity per annum based on the conversion efficiencies of
pyrolysis (65 %), gasification (50 %) and combustion or cogeneration (80 %) systems. Consequently,
combustion is considered the most practical selection for bioelectricity production from the OPW wastes
examined in the study. In addition, the bioelectric energy potential of OPW wastes increased in the order;
PKS >> MCF >> EFB. However feedstock feasibility analysis indicated that extensive pre-treatment or
conditioning of OPW particularly EFB, due to its high moisture, alkali and bulky nature, is necessary for
efficient conversion in biomass conversion technologies (BCTs). The overall findings of the paper
demonstrate that OPW valorization into bioelectricity presents significant potentials for a future green
energy economy (GEE) in Malaysia.

KEYWORDS: Bioelectricity, Oil Palm, Waste, Malaysia, Valorization

INTRODUCTION
Growing concerns about the rampant deforestation, loss of biodiversity and oil palm waste (OPW)
accumulation from crude palm oil (CPO) production in Malaysia have increased calls for the adoption of
sustainable practices in the palm oil industry. However, the problem of OPW accumulation is set to soar
in the near future owing to rising global demand for CPO, and the rapid growth and expansion of oil palm
cultivation. This is predominantly due to the traditional, albeit unsustainable routes for valorizing OPW
waste such as open combustion, boiler fuel and land fill utilization. Furthermore, the low efficiencies of
the techniques presents significant risk to human health, safety and environment thereby necessitating
further research into OPW valorization.
The consensus among stakeholders and decision makers in the industry is the urgent need for cleaner,
sustainable and more efficient low carbon technologies for valorizing OPW. Consequently, current
research efforts include biotechnology, biomaterials and bio-refinery technologies for valorizing OPW
into solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels [1-3]. Currently OPW research is limited to its biomass feedstock
potential [4-6], physicochemical and thermokinetic properties [7-10], conversion technologies [11-13]
and future prospects of OPW valorization in Malaysia [14-16]. Other studies have outlined the products
yield and composition, as well as future potential application of OPW as feedstock for bio-coal,
biosyngas, and biodiesel production [17-20].
However the potential of OPW utilization for biopower and bioelectricity has not been fully
considered or exploited in Malaysia. To the best of the author’s knowledge there have been no study
investigating the bioelectricity potential of OPW and its future potential for green electricity production in
Malaysia. The valorization and utilization of OPW can potentially supply clean, renewable and
sustainable green electricity for the future energy needs of Malaysia. In addition, it can putatively enable
the diversification of the nation’s energy mix currently reliant on hydropower, coal and natural gas. Clean
energy technologies will also reduce Malaysia’s dependence of fossil fuel power, reduce OPW
accumulation, environmental burden and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions considerably.
Ultimately, this will create jobs, improve living standards and increase investments in low carbon
technologies in the country.
This study is therefore aimed at examining and analysing the potential of OPW valorization for
bioelectricity production in Malaysia. It will outline the various wastes generated from crude palm oil
production and efficient technologies for OPW valorization into clean energy. The study will outline the
socioeconomic, technical and environmental challenges of valorizing OPW into clean energy. Lastly, the
paper will examine and highlight the future prospects of creating a low carbon energy economy from
OPW valorization in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study utilizes secondary data from peer reviewed journals, publications and internet sources to assess
the current status of OPW generated annually in Malaysia. The data will also comprise reports and Palm
Oil Statistics from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The study also presents an overview of the
process flow procedure for the production of crude palm oil (CPO) and examines the wastes generated
during the process. Subsequently, the data was utilized to calculate and estimate the bioelectricity and
biopower potential of OPW generated in Malaysia for the year 2014 according to the procedures
described in literature [21]. In addition, the paper briefly highlighted the current technologies for
converting OPW. Lastly, the current challenges and future prospects of OPW to green electricity
generation was highlighted.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Overview of CPO Production in Malaysia
Palm oil is the largest source of oils and fats accounting for 57.7 % of total global production and export
market share. In Malaysia, crude palm oil (CPO) production is a major source of national pride, foreign
exchange and GDP in Malaysia. The cultivation of oil palm (Elaeis guinnensis) accounts for 17 % of total
land mass in Malaysia exponentially growing from 400 hectares in 1920 to 5.5 million hectares in 2014
[22]. The upstream and downstream sector of CPO also experienced substantial growth as exemplified by
the upsurge in oil palm mills from 149 to 437 from 1980 to 2014. The output of CPO from Malaysian oil
palm mills also increased from 2.84 million to 19.67 million tonnes with the same period [23]. Figure 1
presents an overview of the process flow diagram for CPO production.

Figure 1: Process flow diagram for Palm Oil Production [24].

However, the extraction of CPO from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) generates large quantities of solid and
liquid wastes annually. The solid wastes from CPO production comprise mainly; empty fruit bunches
(EFB), mesocarp fibre (MCF), and palm kernel shell (PKS) while the liquid waste consists of palm oil
mill effluent (POME). With an oil yield of 22 %, the production of CPO from Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB)
results in generation of over 75 % solid and liquid wastes emitted into the environment. Consequently,
low carbon technologies such as carbonization, torrefaction, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion,
hydrothermal carbonization, activated carbon, liquefaction, biogas production are currently under
investigation for valorization OPW in Malaysia.

Bioelectricity Potential of Malaysian OPW

Bioelectricity also referred to as biopower, is the process of generating green electricity from clean,
renewable and sustainable biomass based feedstock such as OPW. According to Meklief et al., [4],
biopower production technologies (BPT) can be broadly classified into; anaerobic digestion, direct fired
combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and small scale systems. The most commonly utilized technologies
for valorising OPW such as EFB and MCF include direct combustion and gasification technologies [25].
According to year 2014 statistics from the MPOB, a total of 19.67 million tonnes of CPO was
produced from Malaysian oil palm mills from processing 90 million tonnes of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB).
Hence with a generated waste potential (gWP) of 78 %, the total waste (liquid and solid) equals 70.33
million tonnes for 2014. From Figure 1, we can observe that the distribution of solid waste from FFB is;
Empty Fruit Bunches (22 %), Mesocarp Fibre (13.5 %), Palm Kernel Shell (11.5 %) of FFB. Hence Table
1 presents the quantity of the major OPWs generated from CPO for 2014.

Table 1 Oil Palm Waste generated from Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Production.

Oil Palm Wastes Symbol % OPW OPW generated (Tons)

Empty Fruit Bunches EFB 22.00 15,472,600
Mesocarp Fibre MCF 13.50 9,494,550
Palm Kernel Shell PKS 11.50 8,087,950

Subsequently, the data in Table 1 can be used to estimate the quantity of OPW generated in Malaysia
in 2014. Consequently, bioelectricity potential was estimated by multiplying the OPW yield by their
respective higher heating values (HHV) in literature taking into account energy efficiencies of 50 % for a
small gasification plant, 65 % energy yield for pyrolysis system, and 80 % for combustion in boilers and
or cogeneration [4, 26]. The bioelectricity potential of the OPWs is presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Bioelectricity Potential of Oil Pal Wastes (OPW) in Malaysia.

MWh (GJ x 0.28 x Efficiency)
OPW HHV GJ Pyrolysis Gasification Combustion
OPW Generated (MJ/kg) (Tons x HHV) (65 %) (50 %) (80 %)
EFB 1.55 × 1007 17.57 2.72×1008 4.95 × 1007 3.81 × 1007 6.09 × 1007
MCF 9.49 × 1006 11.34 1.08 × 1008 1.96 × 1007 1.51 × 1007 2.41 × 1007
PKS 8.09 × 1006 18.84 1.52 × 1008 2.77 × 1007 2.13 × 1007 3.41 × 1007
Total 5.32 × 1008 9.68 × 1007 7.45 × 1007 1.19 × 1008
The results indicate the total bioenergy potential available from the OPW wastes in Malaysia is 5.32 x
108 GJ thus demonstrating OPW valorization can be viable for bioelectricity production in Malaysia. In
addition, the BCTs analysis similarly demonstrates that the bioenergy potential of OPW during pyrolysis
is 9.68 x 107 GJ; gasification is 7.45 x 107 GJ and combustion is 1.19 x 108 GJ at the efficiencies
evaluated. Consequently, the bioenergy yield estimates presented correspond to the production of
between 74.5 to 119 MWh of electricity per annum based on conversion efficiencies of 50-80 % for
valorizing OPW into actual electricity.
In comparison, the results demonstrates that the bioenergy potential of the OPW wastes increases in
the order; PKS >> MCF >> EFB. However, it is important to state that the high moisture content of EFB
typically around 60 %, PKS (20%) and MCF (40%) [4]. Consequently, the utilization of EFB for
bioelectricity will require extensive pre-treatment, conditioning and feedstock characterization before
thermal conversion in the BCT of choice. In general, the high moisture [4], high agglomeration potential
[18] and heterogeneous bulky nature [14] of the OPW presents significant technical challenges and
economic concerns for bioelectricity production.
Generally the results indicate that combustion is the most viable option for bioelectricity production
while EFB is the most suitable feedstock. The low bioelectricity potential of MCF presents opportunities
for the valorization of the fuel using other BCTs such as carbonization, liquefaction and torrefaction often
utilized for production high heating value solid biomass fuels such as charcoal and torrefied bio-coal.

Challenges of OPW Valorization

The valorization of OPW wastes into bioelectricity requires comprehensive evaluation of the potential
challenges likely to hinder successful development and diffusion. The challenges can broadly be
categorised into three; techno-environmental and socioeconomic considerations.

Techno-Environmental challenges
This will stem from the design, development and deployment of BCTs for converting OPW into
bioelectricity. The valorization OPW into bioelectricity also presents environment challenges associated
with the deployment of novel energy conversion technologies. This is evident in fact that current
technologies for converting OPW such as palm oil mill boilers and incinerators require considerable re-
modification and replacement at substantial financial costs and environmental implications. In addition,
this will require comprehensive planning and re-organisation of the OPW (biomass) feedstock supply
chain, pretreatment and conditioning as well as transport and logistics to ensure consistent, uninterrupted
power generation. These pertinent considerations present environmental issues related to GHG emissions
and life cycle considerations. Furthermore, intensive research on the mass balances, energy flows and life
cycle assessment of the OPW bioelectricity valorization process is necessary to understand the feasibility,
sustainability and environmental burden of the process. This will require the long term commitment of
human and material resources by stakeholders in the academia, industry, utilities and the government.

Socio-Economic challenges
The socioeconomic challenges will arise primarily from competition with established fossil fuel systems
particularly power generation coal fired power plants which currently accounts for 40 % electricity
generation globally. The most viable option for OPW bioelectricity generation will either require co-
firing with coal or direction combustion or gasification in existing power plants. However, the
thermochemical and physicochemical properties OPW are unfavourable for direct utilization thereby
requiring pretreatment and preconditioning with cost implications. In addition, the social acceptance of
OPW valorization technologies for power generation presents additional challenges particularly due to the
often higher costs of renewable electricity. Ultimately, this will necessitate the need for establishment of
Feed-in-Tarrifs to lower the cost of OPW generated bioelectricity, stimulate electricity producers and
increase competitiveness in the green energy economy (GEE). To this effect, the laws and policy
guidelines regulating bioenergy and bioelectricity will entail re-evaluation to meet the present demands of
the energy climate in the country.

Future Prospects of Valorizing OPW

The development, deployment and diffusion of renewables is aimed at reducing overdependence on
rapidly depleting fossil fuels, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring energy security, and
safeguarding the environment. Energy is an important dynamic for assessing the level of socioeconomic
growth and sustainable development of any nation. The valorization of OPW into bioelectricity through
established BCTs potentially presents a clean, renewable and sustainable approach to electricity
generation in Malaysia. This can potentially stimulate socioeconomic growth and sustainable
development through the provision of clean and sustainable energy supply. In addition, the establishment
of the proposed green energy economy will create jobs and improve living standards through increased
infrastructure investments, business establishments and R&D activities. The prospects of green electricity
from OPW valorization will similarly stimulate future debates and discussions on the future of green
energy policies in the country. The environmental benefits will include reduced dependency on fossil fuel
based energy systems, GHG emissions and ensure environmental protection. Furthermore, OPW
bioelectricity will create a favourable climate for the development of a low carbon economy for
comprehensive recycling, reuse and reduction of OPW in the Malaysian palm oil industry.
CONCLUSION
The study was aimed at examining and analysing the potential of OPW valorization for production of
clean, renewable and sustainable bioelectricity in Malaysia. It presented an overview of the process of
crude palm oil (CPO) production, oil palm wastes (OPW) generated annually and the historical
developments of the industry in Malaysia from 1920 to 2014. The results demonstrated that the
bioelectricity potential of OPW corresponds to the production of 74.5 - 119 MWh of electricity per
annum based on efficiencies evaluated for pyrolysis, gasification and combustion processes. Furthermore,
the bioenergy potential of the OPW wastes was observed to increase in the order; PKS >> MCF >> EFB.
However, the valorization of OPW into bioelectric energy requires feedstock characterization due to the
high moisture, alkali and heterogeneous bulky nature of the feedstock which requires extensive pre-
treatment or conditioning before conversion. Overall, combustion was adjudged the most viable option
for bioelectricity production using EFB. Lastly, the study outlined the socioeconomic, technical and
environmental challenges as well as the future prospects of valorizing OPW into clean and sustainable
bioelectric energy for the future.

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