Life cycle inventory of the commercial production of compost from oil palm biomass: a case study

This paper compared the life cycle inventory (LCI) obtained from three commercial oil palm biomass composting projects in Malaysia which use the open windrow composting system. The LCI was obtained and calculated based on the functional unit of 1 t of compost produced. The input of the inventory are the feed materials such as empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME); and utilities which include electricity generated at palm oil mill and diesel used. Composting 2.0–2.5 t of EFB and 5.0–7.5 t of POME required diesel from 218.7 to 270.2 MJ and electricity from 0 to 6.8 MJ. It is estimated that the composting emitted from 0.01 to 0.02 t CO2eq/tcompost mainly from diesel used to operate machineries. Composting saved 65 % of time required for a complete degradation of POME when compared to ponding system, and 89 % of time required for a complete degradation of EFB compared to mulching. In terms of land required, it required 36 % less land as compared to ponding for POME and 99 % less land as compared to mulching for EFB. Based on the case study, diesel was found to be the main contributor to the environmental impact. There is a potential of upgrading the process to be more economical and environmental friendly. Using electricity as the source of energy has a lower footprint for the composting process. Instead of using raw POME, studies had reported that using treated POME either from anaerobic ponding or digested tank can accelerate the composting process

The impact of (Canarium Odontophyllum Miq.) Dabai Optimum Soaking Condition Towards the Development of Dabai Peanut Spread Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Evaluation

Canarium odontophyllum miq. also known as dabai is known as Sarawak indigenous fruit and utilised for dabai peanut spread formulation. Dabai is physically hard in texture and consumed by soaking under heat treatment. Therefore, dabai optimum soaking condition is determined followed by the development of dabai peanut spread. The determination of soaking condition requires: soaking time (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) mins and soaking temperature (50°C, 60°C, 70°C and 80°C) as independent variables, and (water absorption, crude protein content, crude fat content, moisture content, ash content and colour) as dependent variables. 50°C for 4 minutes is the optimum dabai soaking condition, and it is being utilised for dabai peanut spread formulation. There were six different formulations with different ratios of soaked dabai and roasted peanut, and further underwent proximate analyses and sensory evaluation test. The combination of a low amount of soaked dabai (40 g) with a high amount of roasted peanut (160 g) has produced a high amount of crude protein (10.65%) and crude fat (35.95%) and was found significantly (p<0.05) acceptable by the panellists. The information obtained provides a better understanding of dabai as a potential food product ingredient

Composting of oil palm biomass: Fourier transform-infrared and thermogravimetry analyses

This study investigates the effects of composting conditions on the chemical characteristics of compost from oil palm biomass. Three samples each of empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and compost were collected from three compost plants in Malaysia. The plants employed open windrow composting system. The Fourier transform-infrared spectra and thermogravimetry analysis were used to analyse the samples. It was found that composting resulted in the loss of aliphatic structures by formation of aromatic structures. This led to a stronger intramolecular bond and subsequently increased the stability of compost. The results of the study showed that the use of shredded EFB for composting is the most efficient way to produce compost. It required 55% less amount of time as compared to untreated EFB and 60% less amount of time as compared to treatment without addition of microbes

Evaluation of compost produced commercially from oil palm biomass

Processing of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) to extract its oil at the same time produced biomass namely mesocarp fibre, shell, empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME). EFB and POME were the most abundance among the oil palm biomass. Composting was proposed as one of the potential alternatives to the management of EFB and POME. However, production of compost from oil palm biomass may adversely affect the environmental quality. To date, there is no detail study conducted to evaluate the production of compost from oil palm biomass. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the compost produced commercially from oil palm biomass namely EFB and POME. Further objectives are to identify environmental impacts related to composting of oil palm biomass and to determine chemical characteristics of compost produced from oil palm biomass. In this study, life cycle assessment (LCA) was the chosen tool to identify the potential environmental impacts related to composting of oil palm biomass while the chemical characteristics of compost produced from oil palm biomass were determined using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Life cycle inventory (LCI) was obtained from three commercial oil palm biomass composting projects in Malaysia. The LCI was calculated based on the functional unit of one tonne of compost produced. Composting 2.0 - 2.5 t of EFB and 5.0 – 7.5 t of POME required diesel from 218.7 – 270.2 MJ and electricity from 0 – 6.8 MJ. Life cycle impact assessment was carried out using the SimaPro software version 7.2 and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology. The results showed that the environmental impact from the production of compost is related to the use of diesel which contributes to the impact categories of fossil fuel, respiratory inorganics, acidification or eutrophication and climate change. It is estimated that the composting emitted from 0.01 - 0.02 tCO2eq / tcompost mainly from diesel used to operate machineries. Based on the FT-IR spectra and TGA thermogram, the composting of oil palm biomass is affected by factors including pretreatment of raw material and the use of microbes. The most efficient process consisted of the use of shredded EFB for composting. FT-IR spectra and TGA showed that composting resulted in the loss of aliphatic structures by enrichment of amide and aromatic structures and subsequently increasing the stability of the compost. The production of compost of the three plants showed very minimal impact to environment and chemical characteristics as a potential soil conditioner

Production of compost from organic materials and agro waste

Collaboration between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Highbiz Trading Sdn. Bhd. was established to transfer knowledge related to composting of organic materials and agro waste. The programme was conducted in Bagan Datoh, Perak community. Feedstock assessment showed that agro waste namely coir dust, poultry manure, oil palm fibre and risk husk are potential feedstock to be utilized into value added product. Oil palm fibre and poultry manure were chosen for the project. These materials were mixed with 1:1 ratio. From 20 t of mixed feedstock produced 10 t of compost. Based on the production of compost, the knowledge related to composting has been successfully transferred to the community. If the system expands to 2,100 t/yr of compost produced in future, a preliminary economic analysis showed that with selling price of RM600/t, the payback period will be 2.83 years and internal rate of return (IRR) will be 7%. However, it is found that this project has problems and limitation such as location of the compost site, social acceptance, travelling distance, facilities and supply of feedstock to be overcome in future. In addition, financial assistance is the critical matters that to be looked into before undertake the project. This project has the potential to be commercialized if the problems and limitation has been arranged