Description

Second generation catalytic pyrolisis conversion of palm oil EFB biomass to jet fuel.

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) are abundant in Malaysia with an annual production of more than 18 million tons. Traditional methods such as composting and incineration are not suitable to process these organic solid wastes as they contain nitrogen and considerable amount of solid grains and smoke that may pollute the environment. Second generation technologies to convert lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels are still in development, with first pilot and demonstration plants in operation today, though not in Malaysia.

Pyrolisis is one of the most promising technologies of biomass utilization which converts the biomass to bio-oil, char and gases depending on the pyrolysis conditions. Progress in the production of biofuels is limited by the lack of understanding of pyrolysis mechanisms. With selective tailoring and synthesis of nanocatalyst, it is hypothesized that production of biofuel and jetfuel from biomass could be achieved with higher efficiency and enhanced production yields. Fast pyrolysis at lower degradation temperatures (300-375 ^oC), in the presence of functionalized nano catalysts is an efficient one step conversion of biomass to biofuels and jetfuels and conversion of phenols into higher oxygenated hydrocarbon derivatives.

Collaborators

Description

The Development of a Prototype Device using Nano-Material to increase Dissolution of CO₂ gas in Marine Microalgae Culture.

Site Engineer Dr Rozzeta Dolah checking on the Photobioreactor

Datuk Shamsul Ahmad, MD of JanaManjung discussing with Prof Datuk Dr Halimaton Hamdan and the team on project site