BIOMASS POTENTIAL ENERGY FROM AGRICULTURAL …ir.unimas.my/2785/1/Biomass potiential enegry from agricultural wastes.pdf · ABSTRACT Biomass is one of renewable energy that promises

BIOMASS POTENTIAL ENERGY FROM

AGRICULTURAL WASTES

NURUL HAYATI BINTI JAMIL

This project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honors

(Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing System)

Faculty of Engineering UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK

2004

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, thanks god for giving the author chance to write about this

project. In this opportunity, the author would like to express her gratitude to her

supervisor Madam Shanti Faridah Salleh for her encouragement, supervision and

patience. Gratefully acknowledge to Mr Johan Hj. Ubey, Mr. Radzuan Among and

Mr. Thonny Angkujat from Department of Agriculture of Samarahan, Asajaya and

Sebangan division for their help in collecting the samples for laboratory works. Not

forgotten, also thanks to FSTS animal lab technicians and to those individuals who in

any other way made significant contributions to produce this project.

Personally, the author would like to acknowledge the author's friends

especially Nurul Aini Md. Haniff and Brenda ak Norbert for being so encouraging,

supporting and understanding. It's a great pleasure to gratitude the author's family

that made full support and understanding the author's needs. Last but not least, the

author really appreciates for full commitment and all things that this people had done.

1

ABSTRACT

Biomass is one of renewable energy that promises potential local economic and

global environmental benefits from its utilization as electricity generation. Malaysia's

goal to utilize the generate 5% of its electricity from renewable energy has

encouraged many researchers to explore the biomass resources. Towards achieving

this objective, one of biomass resources that available in Malaysia is agricultural

waste. It will be the most potential resources since Malaysia is well known for its

agricultural activities. This project is about biomass potential energy from agricultural

wastes. The focus is on Sarawak agricultural activities, where the study begins with

recognizing the potential agricultural resources in this state. The main objective of

this project is to determine the relation between energy content and moisture content

in the potential biomass resources. Thus, the laboratory works are carried out to

determine the calorific value and also the moisture content in the agricultural wastes.

The analysis of the effect of moisture content on the calorific value is included in the

laboratory works. The result will provide useful data to design an optimum process

conversion of biomass to energy. Chemical analysis about influences of harvesting

time on the agricultural wastes and a construction of small-scale biomass technology

converter in Asajaya were recommended.

ii

ABSTRAK

"Biomass " adalah salah satu daripada tenaga yang boleh diperbaharui yang

menjanjikan potensi dalam ekonomi tempatan dan manfaat kepada persekitaran global

hasil daripada peggunaannya dalam penjanaan elektrik. Adalah objektif Malaysia

untuk menggunakan lima peratus janaan eletriknya daripada tenaga yang dapat

diperbaharui. Hal ini telah menggalakkan ramai penyelidik menerokai sumber-sumber

"biomass ". Kearah mencapai objektif ini, salah satu daripada sumber-sumber biomass

yang terdapat di Malaysia ialah sisa buangan daripada pertanian. la akan merupakan

sumber yang paling berpotensi kerana Malaysia sememangnya terkenal dengan

aktiviti-aktiviti pertaniannya. Projek ini adalah berkaitan dengan potensi tenaga

"biomass " daripada sisa buangan pertanian. Fokus utama adalah aktiviti-aktiviti

pertanian di Sarawak. Di mana, kajian ini bermula dengan mengenal pasti sumber-

sumber sisa buangan pertanian dalam negeri ini. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah

untuk menentukan hubungan antara kandungan tenaga dan tahap kelembapan di

dalam sumber-sumber "biomass " yang berpotensi. Dengan demikian, kerja-kerja

makmal dapat dilakukan untuk menentukan "calorific value " dan juga kandungan

kelembapan di dalam sisa buangan pertanian. Analisis berkenaan kesan daripada

kandungan kelembapan kepada "calorific value" turut dimasukkan dalam kerja-kerja

makmal. Keputusan daripada eksperimen ini akan memberikan informasi yang

berguna untuk merekabentuk proses pertukaran biomass kepada tenaga yang optima.

Akhir sekali, analisis kimia keatas masa penuaian terhadap hasil buangan daripada

pertanian dan juga pembinaan proses penukar biomass kepada tenaga berskala kecil

telah dicadangkan.

iii

CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

BORANG PENYERAHAN LAPORAN

APPROVAL SHEET

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

ABSTRAK

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to Biomass

1.2 Biomass Resources

1.3 Problem Statement

1.4 Introduction to the Project

1.5 Objectives

1.6 Scope Area

1.7 The advantages of Project

CHAPTER 2- LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Biomass as Source of Energy

2.2 Agricultural Wastes as Source of Biomass Energy

2.3 Background of Agricultural Activities in Malaysia

2.4 Biomass Energy in Malaysia

2.5 Potential Agricultural Wastes Resources in Malaysia

2.5.1 Oil Palm

2.5.2 Paddy

1

11

iii

vi

vii

I

2

3

4

5

5

8

9

10

11

14

14

14

16

iv

2.5.3 Coconut 17

2.6 Methods to Predict Potential Energy from Agricultural Wastes 18

2.7 Biomass Conversion 19

2.7.1 Gasification 20

2.7.2 Pyrolysis 20

2.7.3 Direct Combustion 21

2.8 The Advantages of using Biomass based Agricultural Wastes as Fuel 21

2.9 The Future Prospect about Biomass 22

2.10 Influences of Moisture Content to The Combustion Chamber 23

CHAPTER 3- METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 25

3.2 Data Collection 26

3.3 Material Preparation 26

3.4 Apparatus and Experimental Procedure 29

3.5 Calculation for Potential Energy 31

CHAPTER 4- RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Potential Biomass Sources 33

4.2 The Calorific Value of Agricultural Wastes 37

4.3 Moisture Content 40

4.4 Effect of Moisture Content to the Calorific Value 43

CHAPTER 5- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 45

5.2 Recommendation 46

BIBLIOGRAPHY 50

APPENDIX

V

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NUMBER PAGE

Figure 1.1: European Biomass Resources (Mt/y (dry) 2

Figure 1.2: Sarawak: Area and Land Use (in hectare) 6

Figure 1.3: Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak 7

Figure 2.1: Mathematical Modeling 19

Figure 3.1: Work Flow Diagram 25

Figure 3.2: Preparation of Rice Husk Sample for Laboratory Work 28

Figure 3.3: Preparation of sample for Oven-Dried 29

Figure 3.4: Bomb Calorimeter 29

Figure 3.5: Schematic Diagram for Bomb Calorimeter 30

Figure 4.1: Oil Palm Planted Area (Sarawak) 34

Figure 4.2: Paddy Planted Area (Sarawak) 35

Figure 4.3: Coconut Planted Area (Sarawak) 36

Figure 4.4: Moisture Content 40

Figure 4.5: Oven-dried Sample 42

Figure 4.6: Effect of Moisture Content in Calorific Value of Coconut 44

Frond

Figure 4.7: Effect of Moisture Content in Calorific Value of Rice Husk 44

Figure 5.1: Burning Process 48

vi

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NUMBER PAGE

Table 1.1: Capacity Generation of Electricity in Sarawak 6

Table 2.1: Energy Potential from Biomass 10

Table 2.2: Calorific Value 11

Table 2.3: Planted Area of Main Crops in Malaysia 12

Table 2.4: Planted Area of Main Crops in Sarawak 13

Table 2.5: Agricultural Land Use, 1995-2005 13

Table 2.6: The Result of Proximate Analysis for Rice Husk 17

Table 2.7: Summarize of Coconut Wastes in Thailand 18

Table 3.1: Biomass Resources 27

Table 4.1: Calorific Value 38

Table 4.2: Comparison of Experimental Result with Previous Works 38

Table 4.3: Comparison of Moisture Content Value 41

vii

Special dedicated to:

Mom and Dad

My beloved Family

and

Little sister Aini

"THANKS FOR SUPPORTING ME "

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to Biomass

The limited fossil fuel resources forced the people to find other alternative for

energy. Biomass has been recognized as one of the useful renewable energy in the

future. Patterson (1994) wrote that in 1990s, nevertheless biomass may be on the

threshold of a new breakthrough as a new fuel for advanced forms of electricity

generation. The electricity generation as a result of biomass energy has acknowledged

many researchers concerned about the potential energy available in biomass. Biomass

itself can be defined as all renewable energy organic matter including plant material,

whether grown on land or in water; animal products and manure; food processing and

forestry by products and urban wastes (Stout, 1983). The exploration about this

renewable energy is growing interest to provide increasing of energy consumption

need. According to the World Energy Council (WEC), world energy use may increase

from 8.8 Gtoe per year in 1990 to between 11.3) and 17.2 Gtoe in 2020 (Patterson,

1994). Thus, the exploration of this kind of renewable energy is growing interest to

provide an increasing of energy demand.

I

1.2 Biomass Resources

There are many resources for biomass, which includes agricultural wastes.

According to www. genencor. com, agricultural waste can be described as a vast

amount of waste product known as biomass is produced from the agriculture industry.

These may include animal by product, stalks from processed corn, or pesticide

residue. Based on the study of Wrixon et al (1993), agricultural waste is the highest

European biomass resources available. Figure 1.1 shows the graph of European

Biomass Resources, where from the graph it can be concluded that agricultural wastes

and other energy crops are the highest biomass resources.

Figure 1.1: European Biomass Resources (Mt/y (dry)

Source: Wrixon et. a! (1993). Renewable Energy- 2000

2

1.3 Problem Statement

Based on the report in www. cetdem. org. my/EightMalaysiaPlan. html, the

energy we use today comes mainly from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil,

natural gas& uranium. Where, all of which are finite resources and will depleted. The

report also stated that the use of these types of fuel are damaging to our health and to

the environment. The one of the Malaysia's goal in Eight Malaysia Plan is to generate

5% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2005 and introduced it as the

country's fifth fuel source. Towards this Malaysia's goal, agricultural wastes will be

the one of potential biomass renewable energy. Utilizing only 5% of renewable

energy could save country RM 5 billion over 5 years (Mariyappan, 2000).

Furthermore the advantages in utilizing agricultural waste as the biomass energy,

attracted more research about these fuels. The advantages will be literally discussed in

the next chapter.

Commonly, the practice of agricultural wastes are left in the field to rot or

discarded through open burning. Some of the wastes also are useful for other

economics purpose. As an example, the coconut wastes such as coconut husk are used

in automobile industry as the one of material to manufacture a seat. Today, the

potential energy in these wastes is beneficial to commercialize as a fuel for electricity

generation.

, ý

1.4 Introduction to the Project

This project is about biomass potential energy from agricultural wastes. It is

focusing more on determination of the calorific value or potential energy from

agricultural wastes such as rice husk, coconut shell, oil palm frond and rice straw.

According to the Collins English Dictionary (2000), the calorific value can be defined

as the quantity of heat produced by the complete combustion of given mass of a fuel,

usually expressed in joules per kilogram. Wastes that are used in this project have

been recognized as the potential agricultural wastes resources in Sarawak.

The research is begins with recognizing the potential agricultural wastes

resources available in Sarawak. Then, the study of potential energy and the moisture

content in the agricultural wastes are carried out through the laboratory work.

Agricultural wastes can be divided in two categories which are animal residue and

crop residue. However, for this project, the author only emphasize on crop residue.

Beside that, this project also stress on the analysis of potential energy of

agricultural wastes in different moisture content. Moreover, the recommendation of

feasibility of distributing this biomass energy to people in the vicinity of the

agricultural zone is provided.

4

1.5 Objectives

The main objective of producing this project is to find out the potential energy

contain in an available agricultural wastes resources by determine its calorific value.

The potential agricultural wastes sources only can be determined after comprehensive

understanding of agricultural activities in Sarawak. The project also carried out an

analysis of moisture content in the material in order to determine the presence of

water contents in each of agricultural wastes that has been recognized as potentially

available in Sarawak. Finally, the effect of different moisture content to the calorific

value of these wastes is studied.

1.6 Scope Area

The research had covered the agricultural industry in Malaysia as general.

Refers to the research done by Bahar et a! (1999). Malaysia is well known for its

agricultural activities and agro industrial business. Therefore the existence of a huge

amount of agricultural waste is undeniable. In his report also stated that the potential

agricultural wastes sources are oil palm, paddy, rubber, coconut, cocoa and pineapple.

In order to recognizing the potential or available agricultural wastes, the scope

area for this study is focused only on Sarawak agricultural industry. Sarawak is well

known as the largest states in Malaysia. The total Sarawak land area is about

12,325,402 ha. Figure 1.2 below shows an about 32.04% of land in Sarawak is used

5

for agricultural activities. Based on this percentage, a huge amount of renewable

agricultural wastes are generated.

Swamp (Paya) 138,977 1.13%

Dry Fo 6,822,5

55.35`

Sarawak: Area and Land Use

Settlement and Associated Non-

agricultural Lands 35,959 0.29%

Hoticultural lands 46,822 0.38%

WeUHill Paddy 3,707.772 30.08%

Unused Land 63,368 0.51%

Swamp Forest 1,262,245

10.24%

Figure 1.2: Sarawak: Area and Land Use (in hectare)

Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak-2003

Increasing in demand of energy usage, the agricultural wastes will makes

useful as alternative for biomass energy. The consumption of energy plays an

important role for future strategies in generating electricity. Here, the capacity

generation and consumption of electricity in Sarawak are summarized in Table 1.1

and Figure 1.3.

Tree, Palm and other permenant crops

247,669 2.01%

6

Table 1.1: Capacity generation of Electricity in Sarawak

Year Generating

Capacity

(Kilowatt)

Units Generated

(Million KWh)

Number of consumers

1997 758,1 10 3.314.4 282.460

1998 729,507 3,523.5 294,046

1999 708,111 3,593.5 309,171

2000 1,004,127 4,018.3 324,178

2001 992,768 4,205.8 341,228

2002 1,043,514 4,434.9 361,558

Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak-2002

Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak (2002)

Q Domestic   Industrial & Commercial Q Public & Street Lighting

Figure 1.3: Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak

Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak- 2002

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1.7 The Advantages of Project

Biomass is renewable energy that can be useful as alternative fuel for power

generation in Malaysia. This project would result in the useful data for designing

efficient process of biomass conversion, where the performed data are the potential

energy of different type of agricultural wastes and its moisture content. Furthermore,

by utilizing it, the wastes from agricultural industry can be minimizes. Based on this

project, the utilization of agricultural wastes for electrification can be developed or

provided in rural area where the agriculture activities are the main economics.

8

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter provides the works of the previous researchers includes any appropriate

data from the articles which are related to biomass potential energy study. The

discussion is focused on the study of agricultural wastes as biomass energy and

relevant issues involve in utilizing this type of biomass resources for energy.

2.1 Biomass as Source of Energy

Marty (2000) wrote that ever since humans first huddled around fire warmth,

people have burned logs; straw, wood and animal waste otherwise known as biomass

to create energy. Only after the industrial age matured did people abandon biomass

for the modern conveniences and relatively low costs power provided by fossil fuels

and electricity. On the articles titled burning biomass (alternative energy sources), she

also stated that today, with 82 percent of U. S energy supplied by fossil fuels, biomass

appears to be coming back into vogue as one of the top contenders for replacing these

finite and polluting resources.

Marty (2000) had wrote on her articles the statement of Evald Anders who is a

research technologist at the Centre for Biomass Technology in Denmark which is

stated that global warming issues have forced exploration of bioenergy as an

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alternative to oil and coal. He also added that biomass can also include biofuels,

gaseous fuels for engine and turbine application and can be used in everything from

the fireplaces of third world nations to modern steam cycle systems that create both

heat and power in industrial countries. The agricultural wastes become more popular

as the biomass energy. The recycled green waste is marketed to various end users for

fertilizer, fibreboard, fuel for boiler for electricity generation and other uses (Gardens,

2000).

2.2 Agricultural Wastes as Source of Biomass Energy

Ernest (1981) defined the crop residues as the no edible plant parts that are left

in the field after harvest and remains that are generate from crop-packing plants or

that are discarded during crop processing. Agricultural residues are considered one of

the chief sources of biomass for immediate and near future energy production

(Nicholas at el, 1980). Table 2.1 below has shown the energy potential from biomass

as of 1999.

Table 2.1: Energy Potential from Biomass

Type of Agrowaste Amount (million tonnes) Est. Energy Potential (TJ)

Wood Processing 15 million tonnes agrowastes 280

Palm Oil Mill

Processing

18 agrowastes + 10 million

cubic metre biogas

250

Rice Mills 0.3 million tonnes agrowastes Na

Source: National Energy Balance Malaysia 1980-99, Ministry of Energy,

Communications and Multimedia

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Energy contain in the agricultural wastes can be determined by its calorific

value. The following table shows the calorific value of several agricultural wastes

which are adapted from www. indiansolar energy.

Table 2.2: Calorific Value

BIOMASS Approx heating value Kcal/Kg Natural State Dry state

1 Wood 1500 3500 2 Cattle dung 1000 3700 3 Bagasse 2200 4400 4 Wheat and rice straw 2400 2500 5 Cane trash, rice husk, leaves and vegetable

wastes 3000 3000

6 Coconut husks, dry rass and crop residue 3500 3500 7 Groundnut shells 4000 4000 8 Coffee and oil palm husks 4200 4200 9 Cotton husks 4400 4400 10 Peat 6500 6500

Source: http: /www. indiasolar. com

2.3 Background of Agricultural Activities in Malaysia

Bahar et al (1999) had written that Malaysia is well known for its agricultural

activities and agro industrial business. Therefore the existence of a huge amount of

agricultural waste is undeniable. Many studies have been-carried out in manipulating

these wastes into useful product or as a source of energy. In their journal had

explained that one of the previous researchers reported that a total of around 373PJ

energy per year could be produced from these wastes, which include major

agricultural and longing activities. Major crops planted are oil palm, rubber, rice,

mixed horticulture, coconut, and orchard.

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In order to visualize the plantation of main crops in Malaysia the table 2.3 is

presented below.

Table 2.3: Planted Area of Main Crops in Malaysia

Main Crops 2000 2001 2002(p) Rubber Total 1,430.7 1,389.3 1,348.4

Smallholding 123.8 95.5 84.0 Estate 1,306.9 1,293.8 1,264.4

Oil Palm Total 3,376.7 3,499.0 3,670.2 Estate 2,024.3 2,079.3 2,187.7 Smallholding/ Scheme

1,352.4 1,419.7 1,482.5

Cocoa Total 75.7 57.9 51.1 Estate 22.4 19.6 19.3 Smallholding 53.3 38.3 31.8

Paddy (a) 689.7 673.6 Pepper 13.4 13.8 14.1 Tobacco 15.8 16.0 14.4 Pineapple 7.3 6.3 6.4 Tea 3.1 3.1 3.1

(p) Provisional Source: Year Book of Statistics Malaysia- 2002

The planted area of main crops in Sarawak can be summarized by table 2.4

which is taken from Year Book Statistics Sarawak 2002.

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Table 2.4: Planted Area of Main Crops in Sarawak

Main 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Crops Rubber 173,567 174,993 170,172 168,523 167,523 Oil Palm 147,007 248,430 320,476 330,387 374,828 Coconut 25,590 25,683 26,334 25,578 25,262 Cocoa 16,031 13,283 10,895 6,832 6,093 Paddy(*)

Wet 55,399 56,325 60,190 58,364 57,860 Dry/Hill 71,101 71,289 71,418 72,517 66,784 Total 126,500 127,614 131,608 130,881 124,644

. Pepper 10,178 11,373 12,196 13,327 13,344

(Hectare) (*) Paddy statistics for a reference year, e. g 2000, will include data for main season crop 1999/2000 for wet and hill paddy and off-season crop 2000 for wet paddy

Table 2.5: Agricultural Land Use, 1995-2005

AGRICULTURAL LAND USE, 1995-2005

(hectares) Average Annual Grow th Rate (%)

Commodity 1995 2000 2005 7MP 7MP SMP

Target Achieved Target

Agricultural Industrial

Commodities

Rubber 1,727,000 1,430,700 1,301,500 -3.8 -3.7 -1.9 Oil Palm 2,507,611 3,460,000 3,100,000 1.1 6.7 -2.2 Cocoa 234,538 105,000 105,000 -1.9 -14.8 0.0

Pepper 8,600 11,480 12,500 -1.1 5.9 1.7

Pineapple 9,081 10,233 16,000 4.5 2.4 9.4

Tobacco 10,539 15,000 12,500 -1.0 7.3 -3.6 Food Commodities

Padi' 592,410 572,196 611,000 -9.7 -0.7 0.6

Coconut' 298,740 220,000 201,000 -5.0 -5.9 -1.8 Vagetables' 42,000 51,420 77,290 3.0 4.1 8.5

Fruits' 244,471 297,436 379,613 7.1 4.0 5.0

Others2 68,146 67,534 67,737 -0.3 -0.2 0.1

Total3 5,743,137 5,949,934 6,314,977 -1.4 0.7 1.2

Notes:

I Based on harvested area 2 Include tea, coffee and other crops 3 Refers to physical area and exclude multi-cropping

Source: Agricultural Development, Malaysia Plan

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2.4 Biomass Energy in Malaysia

There are various types of biomass material depending on their chemical

composition, moisture content, size and calorific value, (Alauddin, 1999). He also

wrote that among the various renewable source of energy, biomass is considered

seriously as potential source of energy in the next millennium. Malaysia has named

biomass as fifth sources of energy in Malaysia.

2.5 Potential Agricultural Wastes Resources in Malaysia

This part is contain the reviewed of agricultural wastes available in Malaysia

as reported by previous researchers.

2.5.1 Oil Palm

The area occupied by oil palm in Malaysia has expand rapidly, such that in the

year 2000 about 10 percent of the entire country was covered by the crop,

representing 56 per cent of the agricultural land area, thus dominating other single

agricultural activity (Henson, 2003). Oil Palm wastes can be categorized into two

which are solid and liquid waste. The process of oil extraction results in the

production of both solid and liquid wastes. The solid wastes which are mostly

lignocelluloses are in the form of empty fruit bunches (EFB), fibres from the

pericarp/mesocarp of the fruits, and shell from the nuts of the fruit (Lim et al, 1999).

Currently, the fronds are leaved to rot on the plantation grounds. Lim et al (1999) had

14

quoted the work of Husin et al (1986) who had reported that roughly II dry tonnes of

fronds are annually pruned from one ha of land. The energy content of these work out

to be 33.39 boe per year as the calorific value of fronds is 18.73 MJ per kg oven dry

weight.

Lim (1986), on the other hand reported that the dry matter yields of shells,

fruit fibres and empty fruit bunches are respectively 2.78,1.853 and 1.483 tonnes per

ha per year. The energy potential available from these biomass are respectively 10.15,

5.86 and 4.92 barrel of oil equivalent (boe) per ha per year (Lim et al, 1999). Islam et

al (1999) had quoted the study of Yatim (1996), which is wrote that Malaysia

generates 7.7 million tons of empty fruit bunch, 6.0 million tons of fibre and 2.4

million tons of palm shell every year as wastes.

Attempts have been initiated in a couple of palm oil mills to utilise the POME

for biogas production. The experience from one mill indicates that with their

production of 680 m3 of POME per day, 19000m3 of biogas per day can be produced

in digester tank, (Tan H. J, 1996). As reported by Lim et al (1999), the characteristics

of biogas that produced from POME are 54 -80% CH4,20-46% CO2,560-2580 ppm

of H2S and 4740 - 6150 kcal/m3.

According to Malaysian Palm Oil Board in their presentation of short term and

long term projection of Malaysia Palm Oil Production, hectares planted area of palm

oil in 2002,59.6% was located in Peninsular Malaysia and 40.4% in Sabah and

Sarawak (East Malaysia). In future most of the new planting under oil palm will be in

15