Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Research Articles

Production of valuable chemicals from oil palm biomass using hot-compressed water method

Oil palm industry discharges a large amount of biomass waste which can be converted into energy and chemicals. Hence, several biomass conversion methods are available, such as fermentation, pyrolysis, and gasification. In this work, the hot-compressed water method was proposed to produce valuable chemicals from oil palm biomass (oil palm fiber, shell, and empty fruit bunches). Each material was individually treated in a batch autoclave reactor at 200–300 °C for 30 min. After separation, the total organic carbon of the liquid product was measured by a Shimadzu TOC-5000A instrument, while its composition was analyzed by HPLC and GC/MC apparatus. Experimental results showed that liquid product of oil palm wastes contains various chemicals such as glucose, xylose, 5-HMF, furfural, acetic acid, formic acid, phenol, catechol, and phenol 2,6-di-methoxy. This liquid product composition was strongly dependent on the temperature treatment. In general, sugar-derived compounds (glucose, xylose, 5-HMF, furfural, acetic acid, formic acid) were primarily found in lower temperature; meanwhile, lignin-derived compounds (phenol, catechol, and phenol 2,6-di-methoxy) were mainly obtained in higher temperature.

Low Velocity Impact and Compression after Impact Properties on Gamma Irradiated Kevlar/Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Hybrid Composites

This work investigates the dynamic impact response of Kevlar/oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) hybrid composite structures with/without gamma radiation under low velocity impact (LVI) and compression after impact (CAI) test. The layering pattern Kevlar/oil palm EFB/Kevlar (K/OP/K) was applied in this work. Irradiation with gamma ray with various doses were applied from 25–150 kGy. LVI results shows that hybrid Kevlar/oil palm EFBs (Kevlar/OPEFB) that were not irradiated have greater impact resistance as compared to irradiated hybrid Kevlar/OPEFB. It was also observed that the hybridization of Kevlar/OPEFB with gamma irradiation helped to improve the compressive residual strength of the composites. It was found that Kevlar/OPEFB hybrid composites with the layering sequence K/OP/K can withstand up to 35 J of impact energy, with the optimum gamma radiation dose at 50 kGy.

A combined cellulosic and starchy ethanol and biomethane production with stillage recycle and respective cost analysis

To minimize waste generation in ethanol production from starchy and cellulosic feedstocks, the feasibility of stillage recycle to fermentation process was studied. For sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), optimal hot-compressed water (HCW) pretreatment and enzyme hydrolysis (10% wt) gave the highest total reducing sugar (TRS) yields of 64.2% and 67.3%, respectively. Ethanol fermentation of SCB, EFB and fresh cassava by Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR5606 gave the highest yields of 0.31 g g−1, 0.40 g g−1, and 0.31 g g−1 TRS, respectively. For recycling of SCB and EFB stillage, a slight decline of ethanol yield was found while ethanol yield of cassava significantly increased from 60.8% to 89.9%. The ethanol yields from the 2nd recycle of cassava was still 10% higher than no recycle. Addition of 10%–20% v/v black liquor from lignocellulosic HCW pretreatment into anaerobic digestion system noticeably enhanced the chemical oxygen demand removal and methane production. Analysis of variable operating cost showed that stillage recycles for 20% for fresh cassava and 10% for SCB is cost-effective process for ethanol production.

Biochar production from palm oil mill residues and application of the biochar to adsorb carbon dioxide

The amount of palm oil mill residues increases rapidly and will become a severe problem in the future. One potential technique for alleviating this concerning environmental problem is to convert these residues into biochar by the pyrolysis process. Pyrolysis of three types of palm oil mill residues (namely, palm kernel shells, empty palm fruit bunches, and oil palm fibers) was conducted in a fixed bed reactor at 500 °C and 2 L/min of nitrogen flow rate for 60 min. The optimization of biochar production was performed using the Box-Behnken design and analyzed using response surface methodology. The effects of three potential factors, including pyrolysis temperatures, nitrogen flow rates, and biomass particle sizes, were studied. The results showed that the highest biochar yield (44.91 wt%) was obtained from pyrolysis of palm kernel shells at 525 °C with a nitrogen flow rate of 2 L/min and a particle size of 750 μm. Application of biochar produced from palm kernel shells for carbon dioxide capture was tested in a packed bed adsorber of 3.0 g of biochar sample by flowing 1,400 ppm of carbon dioxide in the gas feed mixture at 2.5 L/min. The capacity of the biochar sample for CO2 adsorption was 0.46 mmol/g.

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Palm Empty Fruit Bunch over Activated Natural Dolomite Catalyst: Product Distribution and Product Analysis

In this study, an activated natural dolomite catalyst is used as catalyst for the palm empty fruit bunches (PEFB) pyrolysis to produce bio-oil. The research was conducted in fixed bed reactors operating in batches by varying several parameters, which are temperature (400-600°C) and nitrogen gas flow rate (100-300 mL.min-1). The results show that the catalytic pyrolysis process using an activated natural dolomite catalyst obtains a maximum liquid yield of 35.87% when using a 500°C catalytic pyrolysis temperature and the rate of nitrogen gas is 100 cm3/minute, while the yield of gas and solids is 53.12% and 11.76%, respectively. The use of the dolomite activation catalyst influences the product distribution of pyrolysis and the bio-oil chemical compounds.

Potassium enrichment of treated palm oil mill effluent in a fixed-bed contactor

Treated Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is the effluent of POME-based biogas production process. This liquid is potential as a raw material of liquid organic fertilizer, but the potassium content should be upgraded. Ash of empty palm fruit bunches (EPFB-a) which is locally available in huge amount is an attractive source of potassium. Potassium enrichment of treated POME was performed by contacting this liquid with EPFB-a in a fixed bed contactor. This research studied the effects of treated POME flow rate and height of EPFB-a bed on potassium mass transfer coefficient from solid to liquid phase in the contactor. Treated POME and EPFB-a were obtained from a crude palm oil mill in Rantau Sakti Village, Tambusai Utara Sub-district, Rokan Hulu Regency of Riau Province. The treated POME flow rates were set at 3.72; 3.36; and 2.52 L/min. EPFB-a bed height were fixed at 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 m. The performance of this fixed bed contactor was evaluated based on extracted potassium content.

Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for 2,3-butanediol production from cellulosic biomass by using glucose-inducible gene expression system

A glucose-inducible gene expression system has been developed using HexR-Pzwf1 of Pseudomonas putida to induce the metabolic pathways. Since the system is controlled by an Entner–Doudoroff pathway (EDP) intermediate, the EDP of Escherichia coli was activated by deleting pfkA and gntR genes. Growth experiment with green fluorescent protein as a reporter indicated that the induction of this system was tightly controlled over a wide range of glucose in E. coli without adding any inducer. 2,3-butanediol (BDO) synthetic pathway genes were expressed by this system in the pfkA-gntR-deleted strain. The resultant engineered strain harbouring this system efficiently produced BDO with a 71% increased titer than the control strain. The strain was also able to produce BDO from a mixture of glucose and xylose which is comparable to glucose alone. Further, the strain produced 11 g/L of BDO at a yield of 0.48 g/g from the hydrolysate of empty palm fruit bunches. This system can also be applied in many other bio-production processes from lignocellulosic biomass.

Effect of ZnCl2 on properties of graphene produced from palm empty fruit bunch

The production of palm oil in Indonesia is increasing every year. Along with the increase in production, the waste generated by the palm oil mill is also increasing. Waste from the production of palm oil can be used as raw material for high value-added products such as graphene. Graphene is the two dimensional hexagonal lattice of sp2 carbon atoms. Due to its excellent electrical conductivity and high theoretical surface area, graphene has very promising applications in nanoelectronics components including transistors, lithium ion batteries and supercapacitor. This study aims to characterize the effect of activating agent ZnCl2: biomass ratio on the structure and properties of graphene production from palm oil waste with catalyst FeCl3 via two-stage pyrolysis. Experiment results showed that surface properties of graphene sheets depend on the ZnCl2: biomass ratio. The effective surface area increased with increasing ZnCl2: biomass ratio. Graphene sheets shows favourable features such as nanosheet frameworks (2-4 atomic layers), graphite-like interlayer spacing (0.3380 nm) and also high crystalline degree (IG/ID = 9.35).

Effects of coal and biomass types towards the quality of hybrid coal produced via co-torrefaction

Coal is an abundant source of energy in Indonesia, but the reserves are dominated by low-rank coal, which is less favorable to be utilized. Indonesia also has various biomass that has potential to be used as an alternative energy source. Combining low-rank coal and biomass in a co-torrefaction process resulted in hybrid coal: an upgraded solid fuel that has higher calorific value than its original coal. The aims of this research are to analyze the effect of different biomass and coal blends on hybrid coal yield, calorific value, energy yield, and non-neutral CO2 emission reduction. This study utilized two types of coal that are X and Y, and three different types of biomass: (a) sugarcane bagasse, (b) rubberwood, and (c) empty palm fruit bunch that are being most widely found in Indonesia. The blends consist of 30%wt biomass were co-torrefied in a vertical tubular furnace reactor for 60 minutes with temperature 300°C in an inert environment and ambient pressure. Solid yields of hybrid coal founded in the range of 57.0 to 63.8% which different types of biomass gave significant effect. Calorific value was increased 37.6-44.1% to 5681-6288 kcal/kg from its original coal. The energy yield ranges from 77.0 to 89.0%. The product reduced non-neutral CO2 emission within the range of 18.1-22.2%.

Effect of microwave-assisted wet torrefaction on liquefaction of biomass from palm oil and sugarcane wastes to bio-oil and carbon nanodots/nanoflakes by hydrothermolysis and solvothermolysis

This study aimed to produce bio-oils from various lignocellulosic biomass, namely palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm fiber (PF), sugarcane bagasse (SB), and sugarcane leaves (SL). Hydrothermal liquefaction, an environmentally benign process, was applied for converting wet bio-resources to bio-oils. The effect of Na2CO3 and La2O3 catalysts were investigated at 300 °C, the results showed higher bio-oil yield from Na2CO3 compared to La2O3. The use of glycerol solvent as a hydrogen donor substantially enhanced bio-oil yield for 300% compared to aqueous solvent. Furthermore, the microwave-assisted wet torrefaction (800 W for 20 min) pretreatment employed for EFB helps to increase aliphatic and aromatic compounds and enhance the light and heavy bio-oils yields to 76.80 wt%. SB and EFB are promising biomass for solvothermolysis liquefaction giving the highest energy ratio. A substantial amount of carbon nanodots and nanoflakes were produced from hydrothermolysis and solvothermolysis liquefaction of EFB with average mean diameters of 49.5 and 100.4 nm, respectively.

Optimization of Bio-oil Production from Empty Palm Fruit Bunches by Pyrolysis using Response Surface Methodology

The need for fuel oil continues to increase in line with the increasing number of human populations and the growth rate of dependence on fuel oil. Bio-oil is a condensed-liquid mixture that results from the thermal derivation of biomass containing hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose. This research developed an optimization of the operation condition of bio-oil from empty palm fruit bunches (OPEFB) using a modified pyrolysis reactor. The temperature and mass of empty palm fruit bunches were the two parameters considered in this study. Optimization was carried out on process parameters using the surface response methodology (RSM) and variance analysis (ANOVA). The significance of the different parameters and the effect of the relationship between parameters on the bio-oil yield is determined using a full factorial central composite design. The optimal operation condition of pyrolysis was found to be 570.71 oC, and the mass of empty palm fruit bunch 420.71 gr. Predictions from the optimum variable of operating conditions produce a bio-oil yield of 5.58%. The actual bio-oil yield on the optimum condition that was be validated is 5.6 %. The chemical composition of bio-oil obtained was evaluated by GCMS to ensure its characterization as a fuel.Keywords: Empty palm fruit bunches, Bio-oil, Pyrolysis, Response Surface Methodology, Optimization

Cellulose acetate production from paddy rice straw and oil palm empty fruit bunch: trichloroacetate catalyst

The utilization of non-wood biomass for fuels and chemicals production is widely studied in recent years. This paper reported the application of trichloroacetate as catalyst in the production of cellulose acetate from paddy (Oriza sativa) rice straw and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunch (EFB). Firstly, pre-treatment by using H2O in acidic condition was carried out prior to the soda pulping by using NaOH 10%, solid to liquid ratio 1:7. The pre-treatment and pulping aim to separate cellulose from lignin and hemicellulose. Furthermore, in order to purify the cellulose, bleaching was applied to the pulps by using NaClO2 0.5% and H2O2 10%. Finally, the paddy rice straw pulp and oil palm EFB pulp were subjected to the acetylation by using acetic anhydride as acetylating agent in CH3COOH condition with catalyst CCl3COOH and H2SO4. The analysis results by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that C=O stretching from cellulose acetate at around 1730 cm−1. Furthermore, the morphological surface and crystallinity of the raw materials and products was analysed by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The acetylated cellulose diameter and cristallinity decreased after the acetylation reaction.

Integration of pyrolysis – tar decomposition over porous low grade iron ore

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of low grade iron ore as catalyst on pyrolysis process of using palm empty fruit bunch. The process was conducted in fixed bed reactor at 450-600 °C. During experiment, the biomass placed within the first stack underwent pyrolysis process was pyrolyzed to produce char, tar and gases. Tar vapor and gases passed through the catalyst bed located within the second stack to conduct catalytic reaction. Furthermore, the vapor left the reactor and entered the cooling system. The catalyst after experiment was weighed to calculate total carbon deposited into catalyst pores. The results showed that the presence of low grade iron ore catalyst increased the gas yield with the yield reduction of liquid fraction. The gas yield was also increased with increasing temperature.

Factorial analysis of mycelium growth in Pleurotus sp. cultivation by using agricultural wastes

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) have three stages of mushroom growth, which are mycelium growth (spawn running), pinhead initiation and fruiting body development. Rubber sawdust is commonly used as a media for oyster mushroom cultivation. However, the low availability of rubber trees has become serious problem to the mushroom’s grower. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors affecting of mycelium growth in Pleurotus sp. cultivation by using agricultural wastes. Two different substrates were used namely, empty fruit bunch (EFB) and sugarcane bagasse (SB). The other selected factors were size of substrates (0.5 cm and 2.5 cm), mass ratio of spawn to substrate (SP/SS) (1:10 and 1:14), temperature (25°C and ambient) and pre treatment of substrates (steam and non-steam). The responses were mycelium extension rate (M) and nitrogen concentration in mycelium (N). Design Expert software was used to construct experimental design where all the factor was randomized. As a result, pre-treatment and type of substrate were the most contributing factors on both M and N, respectively. It can be concluded that the agricultural waste such as empty palm fruit bunch (EFB) can replace the sawdust as a media for oyster mushroom cultivation

Life Cycle Impact Assessment on Electricity Production from Biomass Power Plant System Through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Method using Biomass from Palm Oil Mill in Indonesia

New energy and renewable widely available in Indonesia. One of them is the biomass that can be used with gasification technology. Biomass is an organic matter to which derived from biological materials. This research was used integration gasification system with a gas engine, which works more properly with CO, and H2. The advantage of this biomass power plant compared the environmental impact on other types of plants such as coal-fired power plants, diesel power plants, etc. Therefore the potential of environmental impacts was generated, it is necessary to calculate quantitatively through the life cycle assessment methods. This research aimed to calculate impact assessment on electricity production from a Biomass Power Plant system through a life cycle assessment with boundary cradle to grave in Indonesia. The study revealed that greenhouse gas (GHG) emission of electricity production from an empty fruit bunch palm oil mill was 0.15 kg CO2-eq kWh–1. The gas engine was the highest GHG emission contributor during its life cycle. Empty fruit bunch as a source of biomass for electricity production was considered as climate-friendly power plant system due to its potential in reducing GHG emission from palm oil production and released lower GHG emission.

Bioadsorption of Modified Empty Fruit Bunch Palm Oil for Reducing its 3-MCPD Compounds using Response Surface Methodology

Crude palm oil, consumed as a healthy food oil, contains a 3-monochloro-propane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) ester in the range of 0.04-0.05 ppm. The 3-MCPD compound is one of the contaminants belonging to the chloropropanol group that is genotoxin carcinogen. It is therefore necessary to develop an integrated palm oil refining through adsorption with a modified palm empty fruit bunch bioadsorbent to reduce 3-MCPD ester (<2 ppm / Codex Standard). Response Surface Method applied in the optimization study of the modified empty fruit bunch of oil palm. The research was designed by using Central Composite Design. The parameter process studied were temperature (60-800C), time (20-40 minutes) and oil volume (400-600 ml). Response surface of the pressurized liquid water extraction of curcumin was expressed by a second-order polynomial. The research showed that temperature was the most influencing variable for the adsorption of 3-MCPD from modified empty fruit bunch of oil palm. The response surface contour plots of the RSM on the effect of temperature, time and oil volume have showed that the optimum condition for the adsorption of 3-MCPD from modified empty fruit bunch of oil palm were adsorption performed at temperature of 86.80C, 46.81 minutes and oil volume of 668.17 ml.

Compost of oil palm empty fruit bunches with coastal mud and rice husk biochar to improve the acid sulphate soil fertility

The research purposes: (1) Producing enriched compost of oil palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) with coastal mud and rice husk biochar that is suitable for application to acid sulphate soils, (2) Getting the best dosage to increase acid sulphate soil fertility. The method used: complete random design (CRD) factorial pattern, the first factor composition of enriched oil palm EFB compost, second factor: doses of compost enriched. Data analysis using analysis of Varian (ANOVA), significant differences continued with Honestly Signiant Difference Test (HSD). The variables observed were: soil pH H2O, Each-Al, Total-N, Bray-P and each-K. The results showed: compost oil palm EFB treatment significantly affected the each-K, whilst did not significantly affect the pH H2O, Total-N, Bray-P and each-Al. Although enriched compost treatment did not significantly, and the finding is the treatment enriched compost trend to increased pH H2O, Total-N and Bray-P.

The effectiveness of various compositions lignolytic and cellulolytic microbes in composting empty fruit bunch palm oil and sugar cane biomass

In sustainable agriculture, the balance of the use of inorganic fertilizers, organic matter and biofertilizers are highly recommended to increase crop production and at the same time maintaining or even improving the soil health and quality. Farm waste such as palm oil empty bunches and chopped sugar cane biomass are abundant and is a useful material to be returned to the soil to fertilize the plants. Constraints of both the material utilization is a very long process of decomposed because it contains lignin and cellulose and difficult to decomposed by microbes. Organic materials palm oil empty bunches and sugar cane biomass inoculated cellulolytic fungi, cellulolytic bacteria, lignolytic fungi, lignolytic bacteria consortia 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and without decomposers. The experiments were conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. Composting each 1 m3 of organic matter carried out aerobically for one month. Largest decrease in cellulose content of palm oil empty bunches and sugar cane biomass obtain on inoculation cellulolytic and lignolytic microbes that was 4% respectively to 64.92% and 61.12%, while the largest decrease in lignin content on palm oil empty bunches contained of 3% decomposer with cellulolytic and lignolytic microbes. While on sugar cane biomass obtained by 4% decomposers cellulolytic and lignolytic microbes. The addition of containing 2% cellulolytic and lignolytic most effective in decreasing the C/N either palm oil empty bunches or sugar cane biomass.

The Application of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) As a Material for Fixed Wing Type Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fuselage Production

One of a potential application of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) is the material of fuselage on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This study was began by Alkali Treatment on EPFB. Then, the fuselage was molded using Vacuum Bagging Method. There are three unit of mold with combination of fiberglass + carbon fiber, fiberglass + EPFB fiber and full EPFB fiber. The measurement show fuselage with hybrid composite material (fiberglass and EPFB) has the lightest mass of 559 gram. Deflection Test of all three fuselages show that the maximum deflections were under 1 mm. Next, the Static Impact Test show no damages or cracks on all three fuselages. The result of Flight Test show all fuselages could do well fly and survive belly landing.

Production Process and Optimization of Solid Bioethanol from Empty Fruit Bunches of Palm Oil Using Response Surface Methodology

This study aimed to observe the potential of solid bioethanol as an alternative fuel with high caloric value. The solid bioethanol was produced from liquid bioethanol, which was obtained from the synthesis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (PEFBs) through the delignification process by using organosolv pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted using enzyme (60 FPUg−1 of cellulose) at a variety of temperatures (35 °C, 70 °C, and 90 °C) and reaction times (2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h) in order to obtain a high sugar yield. The highest sugars were yielded at the temperature of 90 °C for 48 h (152.51 mg/L). Furthermore, fermentation was conducted using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The bioethanol yield after fermentation was 62.29 mg/L. Bioethanol was extracted by distillation process to obtain solid bioethanol. The solid bioethanol was produced by using stearic acid as the additive. In order to get high-quality solid bioethanol, the calorific value was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) model. This model provided the factor variables of bioethanol concentration (vol %), stearic acid (g), and bioethanol (mL) with a minus result error. The highest calorific value was obtained with 7 g stearic acid and 5 mL bioethanol (43.17 MJ/kg). Burning time was tested to observe the quality of the solid bioethanol. The highest calorific value resulted in the longest burning time. The solid bioethanol has a potential as solid fuel due to the significantly higher calorific value compared to the liquid bioethanol.