Oil Palm Fiber Research Articles

Physico-Chemical Properties In Degradation Of Oil Palm Solid Waste By Microbial Inoculant And Palm Oil Mill Effluent

Composting fiber ex-fibercyclone and oil palm midrib are the alternative method in waste management and the yielded organic residues that have potential to enhance soil and to assists plant growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of oil palm midrib and fiber composted by palm oil mill effluent (POME) and microbial inoculant provided commercially. This study was arranged in randomized block design (RBD) and the design was divided into 2 groups based on the type of solid waste samples used. Within each group the solid waste (SW) was tested as follows: P1 = SW was inoculated by activator A (Control); P2 = SW was mixed with cow manure and inoculated by activator B; P3 = SW was mixed with cow manure and inoculated by POME; P4 = SW inoculated by activator B; and P5 = SW inoculated by POME. Physico-chemical status were periodically tested along the experiment. The results of this research showed that composting process had formed mesophilic temperature with the highest at 39.25°C; with a range of pH 6.02 – 8.29 and conductivity 0.35 – 1.84 mS/cm at week 16. The C/N ratio of compost product at the end of composting was 7.05 – 12.41. Results revealed that the final of compost C:N ratio <20 and the macronutrient content fulfilled the requirement of Indonesian Standard Quality of Compost which potentially used as an alternative growing media for plant.

Effect of hydrogen on graphene growth from solid waste products by chemical vapour deposition: friction coefficient properties

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of hydrogen (H2) gas on the graphene growth from fruit cover plastic waste (FCPW) and oil palm fibre (OPF), as a solid feedstock, towards the coefficient of friction (COF) properties. Design/methodology/approach Graphene film growth on copper (Cu) substrate was synthesised from FCPW and OPF, as a solid feedstock, using the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method, at atmospheric pressure. The synthesised graphene was characterised using Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Dispersed Spectroscopy (EDS). Surface hardness and roughness were measured using a nano-indenter and surface profilometer, respectively. Then, a dry sliding test was executed using a ball-on-disc tribometer at constant speed, sliding distance and load, with coated and uncoated copper sheet as the counter surface. Findings The presence of H2 gas reduced the running-in time of the dry sliding test. However, there is no significant effect at the constant COF region, where the graphene growth from FCPW shows the lowest COF among other surfaces. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to graphene growth using the CVD method with selected parameters. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on growing graphene from palm oil fiber via the CVD method and its subsequent analysis, based on friction coefficient properties.

Effect of SEBS-MA and MAPP as coupling agent on the thermal and mechanical properties in highly filled composites of oil palm fiber/PP

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on a study of highly filled composites of polypropylene (PP) and 75 and 85% by weight of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPF) with and without coupling agent, maleic anhydride-grafted poly (styrene-ethylene/butadiene styrene) (SEBS-MA) and a maleated polypropylene (MAPP). Composites were prepared using a thermokinetic mixer for blending followed by hot pressing. The thermal and mechanical behavior of these composites was investigated by flexural and impact testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was also used to study the properties. The MAPP improve the flexural modulus and flexural strength of the composites with 75 and 85wt% of oil palm fiber while SEBS-MA improved the impact strength of the composites. By SEM it was possible to observe some voids, pull out and debonding in the polypropylene, and allowing the observation of level of adhesion between the fiber and matrix. DMTA showed a decrease in storage modulus when high amounts of fiber were added to polypropylene, however, the presence of the SEBS-MA and MAPP increased the storage modulus. This study looks into the effect of MAH modification on the compatibility of OPF and PP, gives a broad overview of an initial study of these new materials.

The Use of Oil Palm Fiber as Additive Material in Concrete

This study investigates the use of Oil Palm Fiber (OPF) as additive material in concrete. The effect of OPF in workability and compressive strength of concrete was evaluated through slump test and compression test respectively. Concrete mix design of grade C30/37 is employed in this study referred as control specimen. The total samples were divided into four different concrete mixtures i.e. control specimen (CO), 5 kg/m3 of OPF (O5), 10 kg/m3 of OPF (O10) and 15 kg/m3 of OPF (O15). Three samples of each mix design were tested under slump test. Meanwhile for compression test, three samples of each mix design were tested on 3 days, 7 days and 28 days. Based on the test result, it can be observed that the workability of the OPF concrete was slightly lower than CO concrete and its decreasing rate was proportionally to the amount of OPF in the concrete. In terms of compressive strength, OPF concrete was greatly higher than the CS Concrete and its increasing rate was proportionally to the amount of OPF in the concrete as well.

Adsorption of endocrine disrupting ethylparaben from aqueous solution by chemically activated biochar developed from oil palm fibre

ABSTRACTThe activated biochar (ABC) was prepared, characterized and examined the feasibility of removing ethylparaben (EP) from aqueous solution. The characterization results showed that ABC possessed multi-porous structure and high surface area. The adsorption isotherm was well fitted the Langmuir isotherm and the adsorption kinetic followed the pseudo-second-order model. The maximum adsorption capacity of EP onto ABC was 349.65 mg/g at 298 K. The adsorption capacity maintained 90.82% after five successive adsorption/desorption cycles. ABC possessed high adsorption capacity, usability and stability, which indicating that ABC has great potential to be a promising adsorbent for removal of EP from aqueous solution.

Classifying drivers of global forest loss.

Global maps of forest loss depict the scale and magnitude of forest disturbance, yet companies, governments, and nongovernmental organizations need to distinguish permanent conversion (i.e., deforestation) from temporary loss from forestry or wildfire. Using satellite imagery, we developed a forest loss classification model to determine a spatial attribution of forest disturbance to the dominant drivers of land cover and land use change over the period 2001 to 2015. Our results indicate that 27% of global forest loss can be attributed to deforestation through permanent land use change for commodity production. The remaining areas maintained the same land use over 15 years; in those areas, loss was attributed to forestry (26%), shifting agriculture (24%), and wildfire (23%). Despite corporate commitments, the rate of commodity-driven deforestation has not declined. To end deforestation, companies must eliminate 5 million hectares of conversion from supply chains each year.

Mapping global deforestation patterns

Forest Ecology Forest loss is being driven by various factors, including commodity production, forestry, agriculture, wildfire, and urbanization. Curtis et al. used high-resolution Google Earth imagery to map and classify global forest loss since 2001. Just over a quarter of global forest loss is due to deforestation through permanent land use change for the production of commodities, including beef, soy, palm oil, and wood fiber. Despite regional differences and efforts by governments, conservationists, and corporations to stem the losses, the overall rate of commodity-driven deforestation has not declined since 2001. Science , this issue p. [1108][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aau3445

Resilient modulus of porous asphalt using oil palm fiber

In recent years, the use of waste fibers has been developing in many ways to increase the performance properties of asphalt mixture. Efforts to create a green technology which is more environmentally friendly that can produce economic value is also a consideration in the utilization of waste materials. The research is aimed to evaluate the resilient modulus of porous asphalt using oil palm fiber (OPF). Five different percentages of fiber (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) were used by weight of bitumen. Several lab tests, such as characteristics, asphalts characteristics, and resilient modulus were carried out to compare and quantify performance of OPF-modified porous asphalt. In general, the results of experiments show that oil palm fiber addition to porous asphalt gives significant effect for its properties.

Mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation behaviors of poly(vinyl alcohol) biocomposite with reinforcement of oil palm frond fiber

A biocomposite prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and oil palm fiber (OPF) is proposed with clarification of intermolecular interactions, physical properties, and biodegradability behavior. OPF in this study was converted from oil palm frond, which can be counted as value-added agricultural waste. The OPF content in the biocomposite is varied from 5 to 25 phr and glycerol is used as plasticizer. Scanning electron micrograph presents the good dispersion of OPF in hydrophilic PVA matrix, even at high OPF content of 25 phr. This result provides the improved compressive strength and modulus for 2 and 2.5 times, respectively, as compared to plasticized PVA. The successfully induced rigidity structure of OPF to biocomposite system is also confirmed by increasing of glass transition and melting temperatures, but decreased degree of crystallinity at high contents of OPF (20 and 25 phr). Moreover, the biocomposite with 25 phr OPF exhibits the increase of water resistance at 60% relative humidity obviously. In this study, biodegradability behavior is also traced by Fourier transform infrared spectra which suggests the fast degradation of highly moisture-sensitive PVA as compared with the highly crystalline fibrous structure of OPF.

Effect of raw and chemically treated oil palm mesocarp fibers on thermoplastic cassava starch properties

Composites of thermoplastic cassava starch (TPS) and oil palm mesocarp fibers (OPMF) were prepared using a screw extrusion rheometer. Two types of OPMF were used: raw and alkaline treated oil palm fibers. TPS composites using raw fiber showed an improvement of 193% in the elastic modulus and 153% for maximum stress, while the elongation at break was kept constant when compared to the neat TPS matrix. The high improvement in the mechanical and thermal properties of the TPS matrix by the raw fiber is due to the presence of silica, which influences the interaction of the matrix and OPMF fibers. The present work shows that TPS composites with 10 wt% raw fiber have greater mechanical properties than higher OPMF raw fiber content or alkaline treated fibers and provides the use of OPMF residue to produce an eco-friendly composite for various applications.

PROPERTIES OF COARSE AND FINE PALM OIL CLINKER AGGREGATES

Palm oil clinker (POC) is a waste from the incineration of palm oil shell and fibre. It can be easily obtained from palm oil mill and is abundant available resources. This paper focused on characterization of POC used as fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The utilization of POC has been accepted to produce lightweight concrete, apart from overcoming the POC disposal problems. Moreover, the use of POC in concrete also could overcome the depletion of sand and granite which can cause nature imbalance. In this study, the characterization of aggregates covers the physical and strength properties. In order to obtain the physical properties, the specific gravity, water absorption, sieve analysis, fineness modulus and moisture content tests were conducted. For strength properties, Los Angeles abrasion value test was conducted. It was found that the coarse and fine POC aggregates have a density of 817.17 kg/m3 and 917.82 kg/m3 , respectively, which were lighter than normal granite and sand as much as 36.85%% and 29.45%. This is due to its porous nature of POC aggregates. This nature tends to absorb excessive water which contributes to higher moisture content and water absorption. This study concludes that POC aggregates have a potential in producing lightweight aggregate for concrete.

Biochar Remediation Improves the Leaf Mineral Composition of Telfairia occidentalis Grown on Gas Flared Soil.

This study evaluates the effects of remediation of gas flared soil by biochar on the nutritional composition of cultivated Telfairia occidentalis leaves, relative to non-gas flared soil. Gas flared soils are degraded due to the presence of heavy metals, noxious gases, carbon soot and acidic rain. Biochar produced from oil palm fibre was applied at five different amounts: 0 t ha−1, 7.1 t ha−1, 13.9 t ha−1, 20.9 t ha−1 and 28.0 t ha−1 to containerized soils (both gas flared and control soil), inside a greenhouse, which were allowed to mineralize for two weeks. Two viable seeds of T. occidentalis per replicate were sown. After eight weeks of growth, leaves were harvested, dried and chemically analyzed. Application of biochar significantly increased leaf ash and crude fibre content of Telfairia occidentalis. Plants from soil treated with 13.9 t ha−1 of biochar had the highest concentrations of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E irrespective of soil type. Maximum increase in leaf vitamin and mineral content was obtained from leaves cultivated on gas flared soil treated with 13.9 t ha−1 and 7.1 t ha−1 of biochar respectively. The results show that biochar treatment can increase leaf mineral concentrations and that this effect is dependent on the amount of biochar application.

Oil Palm Fibre Waste to Biogas Electricity Production Framework for Mill Operation

One of issue regarding of renewable energy supply chain is source sustainability and reliability to ensure continuous production. The aim of this paper is to suggest the oil palm fibre waste to biogas electricity production framework: mill operation perspective that suit to be practices based on evaluation of current practise of oil palm solid waste and Malaysia’s palm oil industry. The framework is based on palm oil mill operation to utilise annually solid waste generate as biomass source for stable biogas electricity production. This conceptual paper is the principal efforts that introduce the usage of storage system for biomass feed input to ensure sustainable stable electricity production from palm oil mill by manipulate their solid waste production. Prospective researchers are put forward to conduct further research to enhance biogas production as alternative for waste treatment strategy.

Antimicrobial Properties of Optimized Microwave-assisted Pyroligneous Acid from Oil Palm Fiber

The demands for an antimicrobial agent of natural origin has increasingly grown in recent years due to the adverse health effects from the long-term application of conventional chemical-based agent. To date, there are very few reports available on the use of pyroligneous acid produced in optimized condition, as antimicrobial agent. Thus, this study reports on the evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of oil palm fiber-derived pyroligneous acid produced using microwave heating at optimum condition (MWPA). The optimized MWPA was concentrated and extracted using ethyl acetate and was further determined for its antimicrobial properties against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Biocidal Concentration (MBC) analysis. Results obtained shows that MWPA exhibited high inhibition zone that varied between 13 ± 0.58 to 28.67 ± 0.88 mm toward all strains screened in the present study with low range of MIC value from 0.651 ± 0.13 to 1.563 ± 0.00 mg/ml. This indicated that CPAEA MWPA derived from OPF exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity and might be projected as alternative natural source as antimicrobial agent.

Effect of Palm Oil Fiber (POF) to Strength Properties and Fracture Energy of Green Concrete

The lack of research on concrete which utilizes Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA), Rice Husk Ash (RHA), Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and Palm Oil Fiber (POF) simultaneously in concrete was globally observed. To meet this gap, a study on green concrete consisting of POFA, RHA and RCA with added untreated POF as binders was conducted. The study focusses on the effect of varying percentages of untreated POF, ranging from 0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%, to the strength properties and fracture energy of green concrete. The strength properties of green concrete were investigated by conducting the compression strength test and tensile strength test on forty-eight (48) cubes and cylinders at the curing age of 7 and 28 days. The tests show that the strength of green concrete decreases, as the percentage of POF increases. This was preceded by the establishment of an optimum percentage of POF at 0.25%. The fracture energy of the green concrete was determined by testing twelve numbers of notched beams with dimensions of 100mm x 100mm x 500mm under the three-point bending test. From the three-point bending test, the load-deflection profile for each specimen with different percentages of untreated POF was obtained. Three existing theoretical models, namely Hillerborg, Bazant and CEB models were used to measure the fracture energy of the green concrete with varying percentage of fiber. Results range from 37.94 N/m to 153.81 N/m was observed. The study also successfully established the reliability of Hillerborg’s model to fracture energy when models by Bazant and CEB surprisingly shows a decrease in fracture energy measurements with increase in fiber content.

Effects of Pseudomonas chenduensis and biochar on cadmium availability and microbial community in the paddy soil

The cadmium contamination in the paddy soil results in serious environmental pollutions. In situ soil remediation based on the applications of additives such as functional microorganisms and biochars has gradually attained more attentions. However, how these exogenous additives affect the local microbial communities is less discussed. In this study, a heavy metal resistant bacterium (Pseudomonas chenduensis, strain MBR) and biochar derived from oil palm fibers were separately added into the simulated Cd-contaminated paddy soil to investigate the roles of these additives in the soil remediation and regulating local microbial community. The results showed that compared with control, the addition of the strain MBR and biochar reduced the exchangeable/acid soluble cadmium fraction by 30% and 18%, respectively. Moreover, higher microbial diversity, more deterministic effects and less variation in microbial community were observed in the treatments supplemented with the strain MBR and biochar, and the increase of the deterministic effects on microbial interactions was demonstrated by network analysis further. Additionally, the abundance of the strain MBR in the paddy soil decreased as time passed, which maximally decreased the disturbance for the local micro-ecological niche and ensured ecological security. These results showed that two additives supplementation, in particular Pseudomonas chenduensis, can significantly decrease cadmium availability, contributing to the reduction of the disturbance on soil microbial community and maintaining microbial stability under cadmium pressure. It highlights a new criterion referred to micro-ecology for the evaluation of the roles of additives in local soil remediation.

Environmental assessment of utilizing date palm ash as partial replacement of cement in mortar

Saudi Arabia’s date palm industry generates date palm ash (DPA) from the thermal processing of palm oil fibers and shells. This waste material has potential to be used as partial replacement of cement in structural mortar. However, no studies to date have examined its pollution potential. DPA was used as a cement replacement in Portland cement mortar (PCM) using a 10% and 100% replacement rate and then compared to an ordinary PCM control sample. Total elemental analysis, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and monolith leaching tests were conducted. Elemental analysis revealed a standard elemental profile similar to data for the comparably used wood ash. Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) were elements with the greatest abundance in DPA but no element exceeded regulatory thresholds. Leachability testing revealed that while concentrations of Al and Fe may appear high in DPA, they experience relatively low mobility when encapsulated in PCM matrices as indicated by their calculated leachability index. The results presented in this paper indicate that DPA poses no environmental risk to human health when used as cement replacement in PCM.

Mechanical performance of laminated natural fibre bio-composites and hybrids

Composite materials are highly utilized in the current era due to their tailored specified properties, such as high strength-to-weight, corrosion resistance, inflammable properties, wear resistance and etc. Bio-composites are materials that consisted of matrix (resin) and reinforcements from natural fibres. The mechanical properties of bio composite materials, such as coir, and palm oil fibre, were analysed and evaluated. Fabrication method via combination of laminating process and compression moulding were developed and utilised to manufacture the specimens. Impact, tensile, compression and bending test were carried to evaluate the mechanical characterisation of the bio-fibre composites. However, the mechanical performance of the natural composite were found to be inferior to that of conventional glass fibre composites. Hybridization of natural fibre with glass fibres composite shows a significant increase in specific strength and specific modulus.

Physico-Mechanical, Chemical Composition, Thermal Degradation and Crystallinity of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch, Kenaf and Polypropylene Fibres: A Comparatives Study

The physico-mechanical and chemical properties of enzyme retting kenaf and shredded empty fruit bunch of oil palm fibres (EFB) were analyzed by chemical extraction, microscopic, spectroscopic, thermal and X-ray diffraction method. Polypropylene (PP), a petroleum based fibre, was also included to compare the properties of synthetic fibre with natural fibres. Chemical extraction analysis showed that cellulose was the major component in both kenaf and EFB fibres which are 54% and 41.34%, respectively. Silica content of EFB was 5.29% higher than kenaf that was 2.21%. The result of thermogravimetric analysis showed that kenaf has higher thermal decomposition rate compared to EFB fibre. However, the residue for EFB fibre was higher than kenaf due to higher content in inorganic materials. The residual content of PP fibre was only 1.13% which was lower than the natural fibre. The diameter of EFB fibre bundle was 341.7 μm that was three times higher than kenaf. Microscopy study demonstrated that EFB surface was rough, porous and embedded with silica while kenaf showed smooth surface with small pith. Higher porosity in EFB was due to the lower fibre density that was 1.5 kg/cm3 compared to kenaf that was 1.62 kg/cm3. Kenaf has illustrated significant higher tensile strength (426.4 MPa) than EFB (150 MPa) and this result is in parallel to the pattern of the crystalline value for both fibres, 65% and 50.58%, respectively.

Empirical models of kinetic rate for river treatment analysis of cellulosic materials

The utilisation of cellulosic fibre in removing organic and nutrients pollutants in polluted river is becoming an increasingly popular alternative cost-effective and sustainable option. However, the related empirical models are yet to be fully comprehensive to study the adsorption mechanisms of natural adsorbents. This paper discusses developed empirical model used to estimate the mass transfer of organic pollutants into two natural fibres – coconut fibres and oil palm fibres to filter pollutant molecules in water. An empirical model was developed to estimate the mass transfer of organic pollutants in water onto the fibres in a fabricated physical model. The mass transfer relations were derived based on the substrates loading rates and the predicted accumulation rates of substrates in fibres along with the percentage of outflows. Matching empirical results with experimental results showed that the modified model was able to accurately predict the mass transfer rate. The higher adsorption rate of CF (91.02% COD) depicted greater global mass transfer rate (1.3696 d−1) than OPF (82.35% COD) which only had 1.2768 d−1 of global mass transfer rate in 3% of COD outflow. The contribution of internal diffusion mechanism was significant due to the physical (porosity) and chemical (lignin and cellulosic content) characteristics of both CF and OPF. The study concluded that the performance of biological adsorption using CF and OPF is promising.