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

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  • Abu Norhasmillah
  • Chiew Puah
  • Nor Ibrahim
  • Azhari Baharuddin
  • Yuen Choo

Abstract

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 CO 2eq /t compost 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. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Abu Norhasmillah & Chiew Puah & Nor Ibrahim & Azhari Baharuddin & Yuen Choo, 2013. "Life cycle inventory of the commercial production of compost from oil palm biomass: a case study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1663-1670, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:15:y:2013:i:6:p:1663-1670
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-013-9457-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tatsuya Yoshizaki & Yoshihito Shirai & Mohd Hassan & Azhari Baharuddin & Nik Abdullah & Alawi Sulaiman & Zainuri Busu, 2012. "Economic analysis of biogas and compost projects in a palm oil mill with clean development mechanism in Malaysia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 1065-1079, December.
    2. McManus, M.C., 2010. "Life cycle impacts of waste wood biomass heating systems: A case study of three UK based systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 4064-4070.
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    1. Assunta Maria Palese & Alessandro Persiani & Carmine D’Adamo & Maria Pergola & Vittoria Pastore & Rocco Sileo & Giuseppe Ippolito & Maria Assunta Lombardi & Giuseppe Celano, 2020. "Composting as Manure Disposal Strategy in Small/Medium-Size Livestock Farms: Some Demonstrations with Operative Indications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Kelechi E. Anyaoha & Lulu Zhang, 2023. "Technology-based comparative life cycle assessment for palm oil industry: the case of Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 4575-4595, May.
    3. Chin, May Ji & Poh, Phaik Eong & Tey, Beng Ti & Chan, Eng Seng & Chin, Kit Ling, 2013. "Biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME): Opportunities and challenges from Malaysia's perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 717-726.

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