Quality compliance and environmental impact assessment of commercial empty fruit bunch (EFB) pellet fuel in Malaysia

Astimar Abdul Aziz, . and Vijaya S., . and Lim W. S., . and Nasrin Abu Bakar, . and Loh S. K., . Quality compliance and environmental impact assessment of commercial empty fruit bunch (EFB) pellet fuel in Malaysia. pp. 570-578. ISSN 1511-2780

Empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a potential feedstock for the commercial production of biomass pellet fuel. In this study the fuel properties of EFB pellets collected from four production plants were examined and the impacts of pellets production to the environment were determined using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The fuel properties concerning moisture and energy content bulk density and durability index were comparable to the European Standard (EN 14961-2) for solid biofuels except for the higher ash content i.e. 6. This high ash content contributed to the low energy content of the pellets. This was caused by contamination from soil and dirt attributed due to poor handling of the raw material. The EFB pellets contained a high concentration of potassium nitrogen chlorine and sulphur compared to wood-based pellets. The presence of these elements affected biomass combustion at the furnace as well as emission generation. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) carried out showed that the main environmental impacts of the production of EFB pellets were fossil depletion climate change and particulate matters emission. This was due to the plants heavy dependence on the grid-connected electricity. The results can be used to identify approaches in upgrading EFB pellets quality and reducing the associated environmental impacts.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://jopr.mpob.gov.my/quality-compliance-and-env...

Abstract

Empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a potential feedstock for the commercial production of biomass pellet fuel. In this study the fuel properties of EFB pellets collected from four production plants were examined and the impacts of pellets production to the environment were determined using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The fuel properties concerning moisture and energy content bulk density and durability index were comparable to the European Standard (EN 14961-2) for solid biofuels except for the higher ash content i.e. 6. This high ash content contributed to the low energy content of the pellets. This was caused by contamination from soil and dirt attributed due to poor handling of the raw material. The EFB pellets contained a high concentration of potassium nitrogen chlorine and sulphur compared to wood-based pellets. The presence of these elements affected biomass combustion at the furnace as well as emission generation. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) carried out showed that the main environmental impacts of the production of EFB pellets were fossil depletion climate change and particulate matters emission. This was due to the plants heavy dependence on the grid-connected electricity. The results can be used to identify approaches in upgrading EFB pellets quality and reducing the associated environmental impacts.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Environmental impact
AGROVOC Term:	Environmental impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	Atmospheric pollution
AGROVOC Term:	Biomass
AGROVOC Term:	Bioenergy
AGROVOC Term:	Climate change
AGROVOC Term:	Energy content
AGROVOC Term:	Physicochemical properties
AGROVOC Term:	Mechanical properties
AGROVOC Term:	Proximate analysis
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 06:51
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24126

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