Life Cycle Assessment for the Production of Palm Biodiesel

Abstract

A gate-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) for the production of palm biodiesel was performed. The LCA study was conducted using SimaPro software version 8.5, and the impact assessment was performed according to ReCiPe 2016 methodology. A three-year (2015-2017) inventory data was obtained from five commercial palm biodiesel producers in Malaysia. Methanol, acids and sodium methoxide (catalyst) were identified as three major contributors to the environmental impacts. Impact assessment showed that replacement of fossilbased methanol with biomethanol produced from biogas is the most preferred option, saving up to 63% fossil resources and 22% reduction in global warming impact. Allocation based on economic value was found more suitable compared to mass or energy content. This is because both palm biodiesel and crude glycerol differ in terms of economic value and being used in different applications.

Analysis of current state, gaps, and opportunities for technologies in the Malaysian oil palm estates and palm oil mills towards net-zero emissions

“…Few studies in the literature have attempted to estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for CPO production in Malaysia. For instance, Subramaniam et al [ 9 ] analysed the GHG emissions from 12 palm oil mills in Malaysia with capacities ranging from 40 to 90 t/h. The average GHG emissions observed is 987.18 kg CO 2 -eq/t CPO.…”

“…It is worth noting that both works did not account for emissions related to plantations and palm-based biomass degradation at mill. This gap was addressed by Subramaniam et al [ 9 ], whose analysis showed the total GHG emissions when none of palm-based biomass is recovered can be as high as 3584.05 kg CO 2 -eq/t CPO.…”

Isolation and Characterization of Indigenous Bacteria with Purifying Potential in Solid Palm Oil Extraction Sludge Generated by SOCAPALM-Mbambou

“…The cultivation policy implemented by oil growers in Cameroon as in all producing countries aims to increase production yield in order to satisfy high demand, which leads them to use enormous quantities of chemical fertilizers in their practices fertilization. According to [6], the application of nitrogen fertilizers is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions in plantations. In addition, some of these fertilizers are responsible for the pollution of surface water and groundwater.…”