scholarly journals Emissions of CH4 and CO2 from Wastewater of Palm Oil Mills: A Real Contribution to Increase the Greenhouse Gas and Its Potential as Renewable Energy Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ledis Heru Saryono Putro ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Emission Rate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Flame Ionization ◽  
Biodegradation Process ◽  
Conversion Coefficients ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment in Indonesia is still predominant using an open pond system. This system has the weakness of the unknown and uncontrollable value of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere. This study estimated GHG emissions (CH4 and CO2) from anaerobic ponds and their potential as a renewable energy source and obtain GHG emission conversion coefficients for each kg of COD POME and ton of crude palm oil (CPO). Gas samples were collected using a closed static chamber. GHG sample concentration testing was done using Gas Chromatography with a flame ionization detector (FID) and thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The results showed that the emission rate of CH4 and CO2 in the anaerobic pond POME treatment was relatively high, 261.93 and 595.99 g/m2/day, respectively, equivalent to 48.572 t CO2-eq/day or 14,571.5 t CO2-eq/year. CO2 emissions were greater than two times CH4 emissions, both spatially and temporally. There was a process of facultative biodegradation, aerobic and or anaerobic process according to the biotic-abiotic environment and the levels of organic components in the substrate. In anaerobic ponds, the optimal requirements for the biodegradation process tended to be unfulfilled, so the emission rate of CH4 was less than CO2. The GHG conversion coefficient was obtained, namely each kg of COD from POME emitted 6.266 kg CO2-eq of GHG; for each m3 of POME emitted by 0.163 t CO2-eq of GHG; and 0.556 t CO2-eq/t CPO. The maximum potential for POME to energy conversion was 1.045 MWe with a power capacity of 8,603 MWh/year.

Palm oil mill effluent treatment and utilization to ensure the sustainability of palm oil industries

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 1089-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Hasanudin ◽  
R. Sugiharto ◽  
A. Haryanto ◽  
T. Setiadi ◽  
K. Fujie
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
Palm Oil Mill Effluent ◽  
Liquid Fertilizer ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current condition of palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment and utilization and to propose alternative scenarios to improve the sustainability of palm oil industries. The research was conducted through field survey at some palm oil mills in Indonesia, in which different waste management systems were used. Laboratory experiment was also carried out using a 5 m3 pilot-scale wet anaerobic digester. Currently, POME is treated through anaerobic digestion without or with methane capture followed by utilization of treated POME as liquid fertilizer or further treatment (aerobic process) to fulfill the wastewater quality standard. A methane capturing system was estimated to successfully produce renewable energy of about 25.4–40.7 kWh/ton of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 109.41–175.35 kgCO2e/tonFFB (CO2e: carbon dioxide equivalent). Utilization of treated POME as liquid fertilizer increased FFB production by about 13%. A palm oil mill with 45 ton FFB/hour capacity has potential to generate about 0.95–1.52 MW of electricity. Coupling the POME-based biogas digester and anaerobic co-composting of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) is capable of adding another 0.93 MW. The utilization of POME and EFB not only increases the added value of POME and EFB by producing renewable energy, compost, and liquid fertilizer, but also lowers environmental burden.

scholarly journals Investigating the Palm Oil Mill Wastes Properties for Thermal Power Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Noraishah Shafiqah Yacob ◽  
Hassan Mohamed ◽  
Abd Halim Shamsuddin
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Palm Kernel Shell ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Renewable energy is a reliable solution for addressing global warming and fossil fuel depletion issues. Due to the abundance of biomass resources, such as palm oil wastes, which are currently underutilised, this is an opportunity for Malaysia to seize and implement this renewable energy solution for power generation. Palm oil mill wastes, such as empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm mesocarp fibre (PMF), and palm kernel shell (PKS), are worth to be investigated as a possible feedstock for combustion in thermal power plants. Co-combustion or co-firing of biomass in coal-fired thermal power plants offers a significant potential to reduce harmful emissions and represents a low cost and low-risk method. This paper aims to review and compare existing biomass thermal combustion technologies globally to evaluate the potential of utilising palm oil waste with coal. Before undergoing various pretreatment options, it is necessary to understand the feedstock characteristics for thermal power plant combustion. It is recommended to implement the combustion of palm oil wastes with coal in Malaysia to reduce harmful pollution. Based on the findings, Malaysia appears to be on the right track to optimise the use of palm oil wastes for electricity generation. The enhanced usage will reduce the negative impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Power usage in the transport sector – potential, costs and greenhouse gas abatement of different well-to-wheel pathways

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Millinger ◽  
Philip Tafarte ◽  
Matthias Jordan ◽  
Alena Hahn ◽  
Kathleen Meisel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Abatement ◽  
Surplus Power

<p>The increase of variable renewable energy sources (VRE), i.e. wind and solar power, may lead to a certain mismatch between power demand and supply. At the same time, in order to decarbonise the heat and transport sectors, power-based solutions are often seen as promising option, through so-called sector coupling. At times when VRE power supply exceeds demand, the surplus power could be used for producing liquid and gaseous electrofuels. The power is used for electrolysis, producing hydrogen, which can in turn be used either directly or combined with a carbon source to produce hydrocarbon fuels.</p><p>Here, we analyse the potential development of surplus power for the case of Germany, at an ambitious VRE expansion until 2050 and perform a cost analysis of electrofuels at different production levels using sorted residual load curves. These are then compared to biofuels and electric vehicles with the aid of an optimisation model, considering both cost- and greenhouse gas (GHG)-optimal options for the main transport sectors in Germany.</p><p>We find that, although hydrocarbon electrofuels are more expensive than their main renewable competitors, i.e. biofuels, they are most likely indispensable in addition for reaching climate targets in transport. However, the electrofuel potential is constrained by the availability of both surplus power and carbon. In fact, the surplus power potential is projected to remain limited even at currently ambitious VRE targets for Germany and carbon availability is lower in an increasingly renewable energy system unless direct air capture is deployed. In addition, as the power mix is likely to contain fossil fuels for decades to come, electrofuels based on power directly from the mix with associated conversion losses would cause higher GHG-emissions than the fossil transport fuel reference until a very high share of renewables in the power source is achieved. In contrast, electric vehicles are a more climate competitive option under the projected power mix with remaining fossil fuel fractions, due to a superior fuel economy and thereby lower costs and emissions.</p><p>As part of the assessment, we quantify the greenhouse gas abatement costs for different well-to-wheel pathways and provide an analysis and recommendations for a transition to sustainable transport.</p>

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Stationary Battery Installations in Two Renewable Energy Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6330
Author(s):  
Johanna Pucker-Singer ◽  
Christian Aichberger ◽  
Jernej Zupančič ◽  
Camilla Neumann ◽  
David Neil Bird ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Lithium Ion ◽  
Primary Aluminum ◽  
Battery Cell ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Battery Capacity

The goal to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is spurring interest in renewable energy systems from time-varying sources (e.g., photovoltaics, wind) and these can require batteries to help load balancing. However, the batteries themselves add additional GHG emissions to the electricity system in all its life cycle phases. This article begins by investigating the GHG emissions for the manufacturing of two stationary lithium-ion batteries, comparing production in Europe, US and China. Next, we analyze how the installation and operation of these batteries change the GHG emissions of the electricity supply in two pilot sites. Life cycle assessment is used for GHG emissions calculation. The regional comparison on GHG emissions of battery manufacturing shows that primary aluminum, cathode paste and battery cell production are the principal components of the GHG emissions of battery manufacturing. Regional variations are linked mainly to high grid electricity demand and regional changes in the electricity mixes, resulting in base values of 77 kg CO2-eq/kWh to 153 kg CO2-eq/kWh battery capacity. The assessment of two pilot sites shows that the implementation of batteries can lead to GHG emission savings of up to 77%, if their operation enables an increase in renewable energy sources in the electricity system.

scholarly journals Cultivation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa as a raw material for the production of biofuels in palm oil mill effluent medium with the addition of urea and triple super phosphate

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shinta Elystia ◽  
Sri Rezeki Muria ◽  
Herta Furaida Erlangga
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Chlorella Pyrenoidosa ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Palm Oil Mill Effluent ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Background: The utilization of microalgae as a renewable energy is an important aspect in solving shortage of future oil reserve in 15 years. One of the renewable energy sources is microalgae biodiesel. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is a wastewater that has a high content of organic materials. These organic materials can be used as growth nutrients for microalgae. Chlorella pyrenoidosa is one of the most potential microalgae used as a raw material for the production of biodiesel since it contains lipids (8%-35%). Methods: Chlorella pyrenoidosa was cultured on the POME medium with concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%v with addition of synthetic nutrients (urea: TSP) at the ratios of 2:1 ; 1:2 ; 0.5:1 in a 500 mL Erlenmeyer flask, at pH 6-8, aeration using aquarium pumps, and using LED lights (3000 lux). Results: It was revealed that at POME concentration of 25% and with addition of urea: TSP at a ratio of 2:1, the optimum specific growth rate (0.306/day) with the highest number of cells was 3.530 × 107 cells/mL and the highest lipid content was 36% of its dry weight. The removal efficiency of POME could be obtained from the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, and orthophosphate (P-PO4 ), which was 70, 90.42, and 81.12%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, under appropriate culture conditions, C. pyrenoidosa can produce lipids with good use of nutrients contained in the POME medium.

scholarly journals Assessment of Indonesia’s Future Renewable energy Plan: A Meta-Analysis of Biofuel Energy Return on Investment (EROI)

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2803
Author(s):  
Wiraditma Prananta ◽  
Ida Kubiszewski
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Land Restoration ◽  
Energy Return On Investment ◽  
Land Preparation

In early 2020, Indonesia implemented the biodiesel 30 (B30) program as an initiative to reduce Indonesia’s dependency on fossil fuels and to protect Indonesia’s palm oil market. However, palm oil has received international criticism due to its association with harmful environmental externalities. This paper analysed whether an investment in palm oil-based biofuel (POBB) provides Indonesia with the ability to achieve its environmental and financial goals. In this research, we performed a meta-analysis on biofuel energy return on investment (EROI) by examining 44 biofuel projects using ten types of biofuel feedstocks from 13 countries between 1995 and 2016. Results showed an average EROI of 3.92 and 3.22 for POBB and other biomass-based biofuels (OBBB), respectively. This shows that if only energy inputs and outputs are considered, biofuels provide a positive energy return. However, biofuels, including those from palm oil, produce externalities especially during land preparation and land restoration. We also compared these EROI biofuel results with other renewable energy sources and further analysed the implications for renewable energies to meet society’s energy demands in the future. Results showed that biofuel gives the lowest EROI compared to other renewable energy sources. Its EROI of 3.92, while positive, has been categorised as “not feasible for development”. If Indonesia plans to continue with its biofuel program, some major improvements will be necessary.

Odour Intensity Assessment at Different Area of a Palm Oil Mill Using Olfactometry Method

2015 ◽  
Vol 802 ◽  
pp. 472-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurashikin Yaacof ◽  
Nastaien Qamaruz Zaman ◽  
Yusri Yusop
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Emission Rate ◽  
Anaerobic Treatment ◽  
Cooling Pond ◽  
Intensity Assessment ◽  
Offensive Odour ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Odour Concentration ◽  
Volatile Organic Acids ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Malaysia is one of the world’s largest palm oil exporters, amounting to 39 % of world palm oil production and 44 % of world exports [1]. Palm oil mill usually engaged with odour problem that came from the wastewater treatment pond that released odourous compounds such as ammonia, volatile organic acids, and sulfides. This study was done to investigate odour nuisance from palm oil mill operations and odour emission rate at United Oil Palm (UOP) Mill, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia. Odour assessment was done on-site at four points and odour sample was taken from four anaerobic treatment ponds. Flux hood method was used and the samples were analysed by using the olfactometry method with six panels. It was found that in the UOP mill, the highest odour emission is from the anaerobic pond 2 with the average specific odour emission rate of 10.88 OUE/sm2, follow by cooling pond, acid pond and anaerobic pond 1. Besides knowing the main source of the odour, this study was run to find the intensity and offensiveness of the palm oil mill odour. A simple questionnaire was asked to the six panels about the odour intensity and odour offensiveness, and the average for both was at 5 (very strong odour) and 3 (definitely offensive odour). Higher level of offensiveness and intensity will increase the odour complaints, but by knowing those levels, it will help in deciding the limit of odour concentration that can be released and the threshold of odour that can be accepted by humans.

scholarly journals Advances in Underground Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5142
Author(s):  
Javier Menéndez ◽  
Jorge Loredo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Coal Fuel

The use of fossil fuels (coal, fuel, and natural gas) to generate electricity has been reduced in the European Union during the last few years, involving a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions [...]

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Gas Recovery Systems for Managing Odour from Conventional Effluent Treatment Ponds in Palm Oil Mills in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-85
Author(s):  
Andrew Yap Kian Chung ◽  
Nastaein Qamaruz Zaman ◽  
Nurashikin Yaacof ◽  
Syafinah Yusoff ◽  
Fatah Yah Abd. Manaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
Cooling Pond ◽  
Gas Recovery ◽  
Weak Intensity ◽  
Palm Oil Mill

Abstract Gas recovery systems at palm oil mills enable the curtailment of uncontrolled greenhouse gas emissions from open anaerobic pond, but can also reduce odour, an aspect which has not yet been substantiated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the odour emission from palm oil mill effluent and the effectiveness of covers and tank digester in reducing odour emission from the open lagoons. Odour samples were obtained from the cooling ponds in conjunction with in-field odour assessment performed on site. Results demonstrated that odour released from open ponding or covered lagoon were almost comparable, ranging from 33,150 – 162,000 OU/m3, and 68,705 – 102,000 OU/m3, respectively. In contrast, odour emission from cooling pond which used tank digester system seemed markedly lower, ranging between 13,000 – 76,000 OU/m3. In fact, the analysis of ambient air close to anaerobic tank digesters proved a reduction of odour emission to the surroundings (with 3.5 OU/m3, weak intensity) compared to open pond (with 2700 OU/m3, strong intensity) or covered lagoon (with 111 OU/m3, distinct intensity). In conclusion, gas recovery systems at palm oil mills should be promoted not only towards the management of greenhouse gaseous, but also as an odour impact management strategy.

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