PALM OIL UTILIZATION (PALM WASTE)

Utilization of palm based material to produce bio-energy and bio-chemical has gain prime attention recently due to environmental concern and sustainability issues of the environment. Malaysia is one of the largest producers of palm oil product which is used either as food related products world wide mainly or as basic raw material for soap processing in smaller fraction. Usage of its fibers and shell from the processing waste as its fronds and trunks has the potential to be converted to alternative fuel i.e. bio-fuel or bio-chemicals. The chapter covers topics on utilization of palm waste from plam based materials to produce bio-energy and bio-chemicals and the associated processing technology. Attention is given particularly to utilization of biomass in Malaysia in addition to country such as Indonesia for comparative purposes. Technologies to convert biomass to bio-energy in form of solid, liquid and gaseous fuel and bio-chemicals are discussed. These cover processes such as torrefaction, pelletisation, gasification, fast pyrolysis for conversion of lignocellulosic materials. The chemical energy content of the harvested palm fruit and biomass exceeds the energy input through the faming systems due to conversion of solar radiation to plant growth by photosynthesis. Thus oil palm can act as a net source of useful energy. Method to estimate amount of energy generated from biomass processing is highlighted.