PALM OIL ENGINEERING BULLETIN

Real-World Vehicle Trials: A Look Into Palm Biodiesel and Other Feedstocks

mpob_admin — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:21:24 +0000

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be produced from various feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste cooking oils (WCOs). Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional diesel, derived commonly through the transesterification process from oil of the chosen feedstock (Mosarof et al., 2015). Biodiesel has been widely used in many countries as a blend with conventional diesel fuel to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to lower the emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. However, the effects of biodiesel blends on real-world exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of diesel vehicles are not well understood and may vary depending on the biodiesel feedstock, blend ratio, vehicle type, engine technology and driving conditions. This article aims to summarise the prevailing knowledge base available regarding the usage of biodiesel blends in real-world studies in the form of vehicle trials.

Production of Palm-based Biolubricant Via Green Process

mpob_admin — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:18:39 +0000

Lubricant acts as an anti-friction substance and helps in reducing wear of the components in contact during the motion of machine parts, i.e., engines, gear boxes and compressors. They are complex formulated products consisting of 70%-90% base stocks mixed with functional additives to optimise the physical properties such as thermal stability, oxidative stability, kinetic viscosity and viscosity index in order to meet performance specifications. To date, the lubricants available on the market are mainly derived from crude petroleum oils and their derivatives. However, crude petroleum oils are depleted due to increasing energy demands for industrialisation and population growth. Over 95% of petroleum-based lubricants may enter the environment, causing environmental pollution and harm. Hence, new lubricant of base stocks should be explored to fulfil current and future demand. Biolubricant is one of the promising alternatives to petroleum-based lubricants as it offers comparable technical characteristics. In addition, biolubricants are chemically deriving from renewable raw materials, including edible and non-edible vegetable oils, animal fats, waste materials and tallow. They are also biodegradable naturally through biological processes within a year (Afida, 2015). Figure 1 highlights the significant and superior of biolubricants. Biolubricants can be used in a wide range of applications, including for internal combustion engines in the automotive and marine sectors, as well as for general industrial uses such as turbine oils, compressor oils and transmission oils, as listed in Table 1.

Harnessing International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Feedstocks at Palm Oil Mills: A Sustainable Approach to Biofuel Production

mpob_admin — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:14:52 +0000

Palm oil production is a vital component of the global agricultural sector, providing versatile vegetable oil for food, cosmetics, and biofuel applications. However, the industry’s expansion has raised concerns regarding deforestation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, even though it is a decade-old story. Moving forward to address these challenges, sustainable practices, such as those certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), are increasingly being adopted. The ISCC Guidelines – Waste and Residues from Palm Oil Mill Version 3.0 was published in 2022, in which three types of waste oils i.e., palm oil mill effluent (POME), empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palmpressed (mesocarp) fiber (PPF) were recognised and considered to have zero GHG emission (ISCC, 2024).

Can High Biodiesel Blends Be Used in Cold Highlands Environment?

mpob_admin — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:10:59 +0000

The use of biodiesel in compression ignition engines has attracted global attention as it alleviates global warming concerning the environment. Nevertheless, its low temperature flow characteristic remains a major challenge when used as a substitute for petroleum diesel in cold places such as highlands and areas with moderate temperatures. The use of biodiesel blends could possibly cause fuel starvation and operational issues at low temperatures as solidified materials could clog fuel lines and filters due to their high content of saturated components (Joshi and Pegg, 2007). Cold temperatures lead to a decrease in fuel viscosity, and resulted in engine fuel supply and performance issues (Dwivedi and Sharma, 2014). These issues are more prominent in biodiesel deriving from oils with high content of saturated fatty acids (Hoekman and Robbins, 2012). Biodiesel tends to precipitate when exposed to cold temperatures in the presence of unreacted saturated monoglycerides that could lead to filter clogging and injectors choking (Dwivedi and Sharma, 2013).

Furfural: Building Block for Renewable Fuels and Chemicals

mpob_admin — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:01:50 +0000

Furfural is a precursor to furan-based chemicals and serves as a major green chemical for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. The need to replace fossil fuels with renewable alternatives is now acknowledged with the rise in global energy demand and environmental awareness. Several furanic compounds can be obtained from lignocellulose biomass, including furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and 2,5-dimethylfuran. The presence of the aldehyde group and conjugated structure of furfural enables it to undergo a number of reactions for various commercial uses including industrial manufacturing, food flavoring, fragrance in personal care products and pesticide. It exhibits high solubility in alcohol and ether, and could be dissolved in water up to 8.3% at 20°C.

Real-World Vehicle Trials: A Look Into Palm Biodiesel and Other Feedstocks

mpob_admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:02:12 +0000

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be produced from various feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste cooking oils (WCOs). Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional diesel, derived commonly through the transesterification process from oil of the chosen feedstock (Mosarof et al., 2015). Biodiesel has been widely used in many countries as a blend with conventional diesel fuel to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to lower the emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. However, the effects of biodiesel blends on real-world exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of diesel vehicles are not well understood and may vary depending on the biodiesel feedstock, blend ratio, vehicle type, engine technology and driving conditions. This article aims to summarize the prevailing knowledge base available regarding the usage of biodiesel blends in real-world studies in the form of vehicle trials.

Impact of Mechanisation on Soil Compaction in Oil Palm Plantations

mpob_admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:52:21 +0000

Currently, in Malaysia, several planters in oil palm plantations are concerned about soil compaction, which is mainly related to the deployment of mechanisation and can impact yield performance. The impact of mechanisation on soil compaction in oil palm plantations should be considered, as it may directly affect the productivity of the entire plantation. This review focuses on the impact and effects of mechanisation, specifically whether it contributes directly or indirectly to soil compaction and subsequently affects oil palm yield in Malaysia. It highlights that the use of mechanisation in oil palm plantations has both positive and negative effects on oil palm yield. Therefore, it is vital for the management of oil palm plantations to ensure the suitability of the machinery to be used, following the topography and characteristics of the soil to ensure soil health is maintained.

Greening The Fields: How Renewable Energy Enhances Oil Palm Plantation Operations

mpob_admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:45:09 +0000

The oil palm industry plays a significant role in the global economy, providing a versatile and highly efficient vegetable oil that is widely used in various sectors. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of oil palm plantations, particularly about deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. In the context of oil palm estates, renewable energy can play a crucial role in powering various operations such as irrigation systems, processing plants, and employee facilities. By harnessing natural resources like sunlight, wind, and biomass, oil palm estates can significantly reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources while contributing to overall environmental conservation efforts. Solar systems, biomass energy, and hydropower are among the most used renewable energy sources in agriculture and have been identified as viable options for oil palm estate operations as well. The application of renewable energy technologies in agriculture offers a range of benefits, including reduced operational costs, lower environmental impact, and greater energy independence. In addition to cost savings, renewable energy systems also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, by utilising renewable energy sources in oil palm estate operations, the estates can showcase their commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The application of renewable energy technologies in oil palm estate operations can have a significant impact on sustainability and cost-effectiveness (Kodirov et al., 2020). This article explores how renewable energy enhances oil palm plantation operations and contributes to a greener and more sustainable future for the industry.

Advancements in Oil Palm-Derived Composites: Engineering Insights and Innovation

mpob_admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:41:30 +0000

The palm oil industry stands as the primary contributor to biomass in Malaysia, generating a substantial amount of oil palm biomass waste annually. The industry produces a significant volume of biomass each year, comprising oil palm fronds (OPF), empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm trunks (OPT), palm mesocarp fibres, and palm kernel shells (PKS), as illustrated in Figure 1. The oil palm biomass is being effectively transformed into valueadded products through various industrial processes and applications (Ilyas et al., 2022). The abundance of these biomass can be turned into highly valuable composite products, which will bring in additional revenues for the nation. Therefore, much research on the replacement of man-made fibres with oil palm fibres as reinforcement materials in polymer composites has been invested for a more sustainable palm oil circular economy. Oil palm-derived composites may prove to be one of the most auspicious green materials owing to its acceptable mechanical properties, abundance, renewability, and biodegradability.

Development of Oil Palm Biomass and Biogas Database

mpob_admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 06:36:11 +0000

The oil palm industry is a vital component of Malaysia’s agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. As a leading global producer of palm oil, Malaysia generates substantial amounts of oil palm biomass (OPB) during replanting, harvesting, and processing activities. This includes empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm mesocarp fibres, palm kernel shells (PKS), palm oil mill effluent (POME), oil palm fronds (OPF) and oil palm trunks (OPT). OPB has been recognised as an important economic resource that offers a beneficial influence on the economic growth of the country rather than as a low-value waste. OPB can be turned into highly valuable products, which will bring in additional revenues for the nation. This abundant biomass has the potential to be a valuable resource for various industries, ranging from energy production to the development of innovative and sustainable products (Abas et al., 2011).