Environmental Friendly Charcoal Production From Oil Palm Biomass

Researcher: Dr. Astimar Abdul Aziz

 

Introduction

The major raw material used for the production of activated carbon is coconut shell and the coconut shell kernel is being produced domestically. It was reported that the supply of coconut shell and coconut shell charcoal are depleting due to the replacement of coconut planting area with oil palm plantation. Currently, the activated carbon producers are importing the coconut shell charcoals from Indonesia and Philippine, and the price is increasing. There had been a demand on gradual shift of focus towards using the oil palm shell as raw material for the production of activated carbon especially for the granulated activated carbon.

 

Hence the objective of proposing this project is to produce high quality charcoal from palm kernel shell that will eventually ensure high quality activated carbon that would command higher prices.

 

Objectives

• To replace the conventional charcoal production with more environmental friendly process.

• To utilize the palm kernel shell in more profitable way.

• To enhance and to standardize the quality of palm kernel charcoal for ensuring the good quality of activated carbon produced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process Optimisation Of Nanomass Technology System (NTS) For Oil Palm Biomass And Particle Size Analysis Of Its Product

 

Researcher: En. Ropandi Mamat

 

Introduction

The Nanomass (M) Sdn Bhd (technology provider) will fabricate the system will make use of the ultrasound technology to convert the palm oil biomass into nano particles and fine powder. By converting the oil palm biomass such as EFB, palm shell and press fibre into nano particles /powder, it will open up new applications for that particular product. The aim of the project is to evaluate and optimise the use of the new technology, NTS for turning the palm biomass into fine particles/powder that can be used as resource materials for other industries such as biomass pellet, bio-plastic, 2nd generation of biofuel, etc.

 

Objectives

• To evaluate and optimize the Nanomass Technology System’s (NTS) performance in term of efficiency and production capacity.

• To study the characteristics and properties of palm biomass powder or fine particle obtained from the NTS.

• To study the possibility of converting the palm biomass powder or particles into biomass fuel pellet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Of Functional Oligosaccharides From Oil Palm Fibres Via Enzymatic Route.

 

Researcher: Pn. Norshamsiana Abdul Wahab

 

Introduction

In this research we will study the processing of oil palm fibres, particularly the empty fruit bunch fibre (EFBF) into higher value-added final or intermediate products by using physical, chemical and biotechnological processes. EFBF will be fractionised by physical treatments for minimizing the environmental impact (avoiding acid, alkali or organosoly additions) to selectively release the xylan fraction, from the remaining biomass. The goal is to optimize an integrated process for biomass fractionation that can be used for different biomass wastes producing diethetics edulcorants (xylitol) and xylo-oligosaccharides, the latter as intermediate products for pharmaceutical and food applications. 

 

Objectives

• To optimize selective processes for lignocellulosic wastes fractionantion using hydrothermal and enzyme based treatments producing crude xylo-oligosaccharides.

• To purify different xylo-oligosaccharides as intermediate or end products for pharmaceutical and food applications.

• Technical and economical feasibility of industrial processes for xylo-saccharide.

 

 

 

Process Optimization For Rapid Composting Of Oil Palm Biomass 

 

Researcher: Pn. Nahrul Hayawin Zainal

 

Introduction

The EFB, owing to its easy availability and relative abundance, received more attention than other biomass as a raw material for many of the value-added products (Astimar et al., 2011). The EFB is now used mainly as a mulch. EFB placed around young palms, helps to control the weeds, prevent erosion and maintain soil moisture. However, due to the current labor shortage, the transportation and distribution of EFB in the field is getting more expensive. There is a growing interest in composting EFB, in order to add value, and also to reduce the volume to make the application easier.

 

Objectives

• To optimize the rapid composting of oil palm biomass using selected EM microbes.

• To optimize the process for the composting of oil palm biomass using aerobic thermophilic composter.