Environmental performance of palm-based methyl ester sulphonates production using life cycle approach

Noorazah Zolkarnain, . and Zulina Abd Maurad, . and Razmah Ghazali, . and Hazimah Abu Hassan, . Environmental performance of palm-based methyl ester sulphonates production using life cycle approach. pp. 104-113. ISSN 1511-2780

Palm-based methyl ester sulphonates (MES) derived from palm oil through sulphonation process offer an interesting alternative to petroleum-based surfactants. This study was carried out to identify any potential environmental impacts that could be associated with the production of palm-based MES. Data on pilot plant production were obtained from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)s MES pilot plant with 20 kg hr-1 capacity. Life cycle assessment (LCA) performance was based on representative inventory data of MES processes for three years of production. The results were analysed using Eco-indicator 99 methodology operated under SimaPro version 8.0.2 software. The single score results showed that the main impact contributors for MES production at pilot plant scale were from production of methyl ester steam and methanol. Based on weighted score the most significant impact categories from this production were fossil fuels respiratory inorganics and climate change. However there was no significant impact value on land use category since this study was conducted with best management practices in oil palm plantation in Malaysia. From this study it can be concluded that the production of MES at pilot plant using the best approach used in the oil palm industry are more sustainable and environmental-friendly.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://jopr.mpob.gov.my/environmental-performance-...

Abstract

Palm-based methyl ester sulphonates (MES) derived from palm oil through sulphonation process offer an interesting alternative to petroleum-based surfactants. This study was carried out to identify any potential environmental impacts that could be associated with the production of palm-based MES. Data on pilot plant production were obtained from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)s MES pilot plant with 20 kg hr-1 capacity. Life cycle assessment (LCA) performance was based on representative inventory data of MES processes for three years of production. The results were analysed using Eco-indicator 99 methodology operated under SimaPro version 8.0.2 software. The single score results showed that the main impact contributors for MES production at pilot plant scale were from production of methyl ester steam and methanol. Based on weighted score the most significant impact categories from this production were fossil fuels respiratory inorganics and climate change. However there was no significant impact value on land use category since this study was conducted with best management practices in oil palm plantation in Malaysia. From this study it can be concluded that the production of MES at pilot plant using the best approach used in the oil palm industry are more sustainable and environmental-friendly.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Palm oils
AGROVOC Term:	Esters
AGROVOC Term:	Life cycle analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Pilot plants
AGROVOC Term:	Impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	Environmental impact
AGROVOC Term:	Surfactants
AGROVOC Term:	Utilization
AGROVOC Term:	Sustainable development
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 07:23
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24309

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