Evolving circular economy in a palm oil factory: Integration of pilot-scale hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and anaerobic digestion for valorization of empty fruit bunch

Attasophonwattana, Patcharaporn; Sitthichirachat, Panawit; Siripaiboon, Chootrakul; Ketwong, Tulakarn; Khaobang, Chanoknunt; Panichnumsin, Pornpan; Ding, Lu; Areeprasert, Chinnathan

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119766

Cited by 14 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…To improve energy recovery, it is essential to combine HTC with other methods in a process and then perform different technical experiments with mass and energy balance analysis to support commercialization. Attasophonwattana, P. et al [78] integrated a HTC pilot-scale involving 1 m 3 reactor with gasification of AD system to process the oil palm fruit bunch (EFB) based on a circular-economy. This pilot-scale project showed a potential for energy recovery, a positive environmental influence, and economic efficiency when combining these technologies in one process to treat waste.…”

Section: Upscaling Case Of Htc and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Upscaling Hydrothermal Carbonization

Ho,

Nadeem,

Choe

2024

Energies

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Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has recently emerged as a promising technology for converting diverse forms of waste with a high moisture content into value-added products such as biofuel, biochar, and activated carbon. With an increasing demand for sustainable and carbon-neutral energy sources, HTC has attracted considerable attention in the literature. However, a successful transition from laboratory-scale to large-scale industrial applications entails notable challenges. This review critically assesses the upscaling of hydrothermal carbonization processes, emphasizing the challenges, innovations, and environmental implications associated with this transition. The challenges inherent in upscaling HTC are comprehensively discussed, including aspects such as reactor design, process optimization, and the current treatment technology for process water. This review presents recent innovations and technological advancements that address these challenges and explores integrated solutions to enhancing hydrothermal carbonization’s scalability. Additionally, this review highlights key companies that have developed and implemented HTC plants for commercial purposes. By overcoming the obstacles and achieving advancements in the upscaling of hydrothermal carbonization, this review contributes to the ongoing efforts to realize the full potential of HTC as a sustainable and scalable biomass conversion technology and proposes future directions.

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Section: Upscaling Case Of Htc and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Upscaling Hydrothermal Carbonization

Ho,

Nadeem,

Choe

2024

Energies

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“…Attasophonwattana et al [24], presented a study of hydro char's production using empty fruit bunch (EFB) as feedstock by a pilot-scale hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), washing and gasification processes, as well as anaerobic digestion of the HTC liquid product. In terms of air gasification, char and tar products accounted for 22.7-33.8% and 17.3-28.8%, respectively while CO2 /O2 gasification resulted in 31.3-36.6 % for char and 8.5-30.8% for tar.…”

Section: Brazilian Energy Matrix (%)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Analysis of Thermal Catalytic Process of Palm Oil (<em>Elaeis Guineesensis, </em>Jacq) and Soap Phase Residue of Neutralization Process of Palm Oil (<em>Elaeis Guineensis</em>, Jacq)

Amaral¹,

Bernar²,

Ferreira³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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This work aims to investigate systematically the tecno-economic feasibility of ther-mos-catalytic cracking process for two solid waste materials, a lipid-base material (re-sidual fat/scum from retention box of the University Restaurant of UFPA) and a lig-nin-cellulosic material Açaí seed (Euterpe oleracea. Mart). The thermo-catalytic process-es were carried out in pilot scale (THERMTEK/LEQ/UFPA/IME/RJ), and their economic feasibility analyzed. The yields of biofuels produced by fractional distillation were al-so studied. The physicochemical characteristics of the raw materials, the organic liquid product (bio-oil) and the chemical composition of kerosene, light-diesel and heavy-diesel from the lipid-base material, as well as those of kerosene and light-diesel from the Açaí seed were also determined. The economic indicators for the evaluation of the most viable cracking (pyrolysis) and distillation process of bio-oils were: a) the sim-ple payback criterion, b) discounted payback, c) net present value (NPV), d) internal rate of return (IRR), and e) index of profitability (IP). The analysis of the indicators showed the economic viability of crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq) and unfeasibil-ity for the palm oil neutralization. The minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) obtained is this work for the biofuels was of 1.34 US$/L) and the breakeven point obtained was of 1.28 US$/L. The sensibility analysis demonstrated that the pyrolysis and distillation yields are the most important variables to affect the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP).

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“…Harnessing the potential of OPEFB within the agricultural sector could offer a solution to pollution issues and foster sustainable agricultural systems. Efforts are underway to transform this waste into valuable fuels and chemicals [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Biogas Production from Anaerobic Co-digestion of Hydrothermal Pre-treated OPEFB and Digested Sludge

Muhammad Bukhari Rosly,

Pramila Tamunaidu,

Nurhamieza Md Huzir

et al. 2024

ARFMTS

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The palm oil industry plays a vital role in Malaysia, but it generates substantial amounts of biomass waste, which, if not properly managed, can lead to environmental pollution. Among these waste products, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is the most abundant and underutilized, being generated daily without any commercial value. The aim is to efficiently convert OPEFB into fermentable sugars for improved biogas production. Nevertheless, the challenge lies in efficiently degrading OPEFB within a short timeframe before fermentation into biogas can occur. This study aims to explore the potential of hydrothermal pre-treatment as a means to enhance biogas production from OPEFB. The pre-treatment process was optimized by varying reaction temperatures (100 to 250°C), and reaction times (10 to 40 minutes). The main objective was to maximize the total soluble sugar yield, a crucial precursor for efficient biogas production. The optimal conditions for hydrothermal pre-treatment are identified at a temperature of 175°C and a reaction time of 20 minutes, resulting in a yield of 49.2 mg of glucose per gram of OPEFB. Subsequent anaerobic co-digestion of the treated OPEFB with digested sludge increased methane yield to 100.53 ml/g-VS, representing a remarkable 392% increase compared to the low 20.44 ml/g-VS produced by untreated OPEFB. Nonetheless, elevated pre-treatment temperatures (200°C and above) led to reduced biogas production due to inhibitory compounds. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrothermal pre-treatment as a low-temperature, green technology for enhancing OPEFB-based biogas production, contributing to Malaysia's renewable energy goals. Future research should focus on scale-up and validation of this integrated process.

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Evolving circular economy in a palm oil factory: Integration of pilot-scale hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and anaerobic digestion for valorization of empty fruit bunch

Cited by 14 publications

References 50 publications

A Review of Upscaling Hydrothermal Carbonization

A Review of Upscaling Hydrothermal Carbonization

Economic Analysis of Thermal Catalytic Process of Palm Oil (<em>Elaeis Guineesensis, </em>Jacq) and Soap Phase Residue of Neutralization Process of Palm Oil (<em>Elaeis Guineensis</em>, Jacq)

Potential of Biogas Production from Anaerobic Co-digestion of Hydrothermal Pre-treated OPEFB and Digested Sludge

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