This study proposes a new process design, simulation, and techno-economic analysis of an integrated process plant that produces glucose and furfural from Malaysian empty fruit bunches (EFB). An Aspen Plus-based simulation has been established to develop a process flow diagram of co-production of glucose and furfural along with the mass and energy balances. For the production capacity of 10 kilotons per year (ktpy) of glucose and 4.96 ktpy of furfural in Malaysia, purity of 98.21 and 99.54% - weight, respectively, was achieved. The plant’s economics is analyzed by calculating the fixed capital income (FCI), operating costs, and working capital. In contrast, profitability is determined using cumulative cash flow (CCF), net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR). The FCI is calculated as Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 81.61 million, while the working and operating expenses are calculated as MYR 11.29 million and MYR 46.92 million, respectively. This project achieves MYR 31.45 million as NPV with a positive IRR of 14.25% and return on investment (ROI) of 22.06%. As a result, a profitable integrated process plant is established with future upscaling parameters and key cost drivers. The proposed integrated process plant minimizes waste generated from the palm oil mill, resulting in a profitable and sustainable plant.
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