Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Utilization of Oil Palm Fiber and Palm Kernel Shell in Various Applications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable Technologies for the Management of Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

The agro-industrial sector in Malaysia generates a significant amount of biomass solid wastes, particularly from palm oil mills which produce enormous amount of biomass that includes empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel shells (PKS), oil palm fibers (OPF), and palm oil mill effluents (POME). Oil palm fronds (leaves stem) are available from the plantation during trimming process, and oil palm trunks are available when the plantation are removing old palm trees for new oil palm cultivation. At present, the fibers and shells are utilized (in weight ratio) in boilers for steam generation in most palm oil mills, whereas empty fruit bunches are being utilized as organic fertilizer and mulching purposes. Thus, there are huge challenges as well as opportunities on the development to utilize these abundant biomass resources. The oil palm biomass appears to be the most promising and potential renewable feedstock for the recovery of various fuels and chemicals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abas FZ, Ani FN (2014) Comparing characteristics of oil palm biochar using conventional and microwave heating. Jurnal Teknologi (Sci Eng) 68(3):33–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Abnisa F, Arami-niya A, Wan Daud WMA, Sahu JA (2013) Characterization of bio-oil and bio-char from pyrolysis of palm oil wastes. Bioenergy Res 6(2):830–840

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adinata D, Daud WM, Aroua MK (2007) Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from palm shell by chemical activation with K2CO3. Bioresour Technol 98(1):145–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (2012) National biomass strategy delivery unit (1MBAS): promote, coordinate and facilitate the business and investment opportunities in Malaysia’s biomass based industries. Retrieved Jan 15, 2017 from http://www.nbs2020.gov.my/1mbas-2012

  • Alengaram UJ, Muhit BA, Jumaat MZ (2013) Utilization of oil palm kernel shell as lightweight aggregate in concrete – a review. Constr Build Mater 38:161–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ani FN (2012) Sustainability and recycling through thermal conversion of bioresources. Professorial inaugural lecture series. Penerbit UTM Press, pp 1–42. ISBN 978-983-52-0861-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Aziz MA, Uemura Y, Sabil KM (2011) Characterization of oil palm biomass as feed for torrefaction process. National Postgraduate Conference (NPC). 19–20 September. IEEE, Perak, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya SC, Leon MA, Rahman MM (2002) A study on improved biomass briquetting. Energy Sustain Dev 6(2):67–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen WH, Lin BJ (2016) Characteristics of products from the pyrolysis of oil palm fiber and its pellets in nitrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres. Energy 94:569–578

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chindaprasirt P, Hatanaka S, Chareerat T, Mishima N, Yuasa Y (2008) Cement paste characteristics and porous concrete properties. Constr Build Mater 22(5):894–901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi G-G, Seung-Jin O, Lee S-J, Kim J-S (2015a) Production of bio-based phenolic resin and activated carbon from bio-oil and biochar derived from fast pyrolysis of palm kernel shells. Bioresour Technol 178:99–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi G-G, Seung-Jin O, Lee S-J, Kim J-S (2015b) Production of bio-based phenolic resin and activated carbon from bio-oil and biochar derived from fast pyrolysis of palm kernel shells. Bioresour Technol 178:99–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cookwithkathy (2013) Retrieved on Jan 23, 2017 from https://cookwithkathy.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/what-is-the-difference-between-palm-oil-and-coconut-oil/

  • Faizal HM, Latiff ZA, Mazlan AW, Darus AN (2010) Physical and combustion characteristics of biomass residues from palm oil mills. New aspects of fluid mechanics, heat transfer and environment. WSEAS Press, Taiwan

    Google Scholar 

  • Faizal HM, Latiff ZA, Mohd Iskandar MA (2015) Characteristics of binderless palm biomass briquettes with various particle sizes. Jurnal Teknologi 77(8):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Faruk O, Bledzki AK, Fink HP, Sain M (2012) Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010. Prog Polym Sci 37(11):1552–1596

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farzad S, Mandegari MA, Görgens JF (2016) A critical review on biomass gasification, co-gasification, and their environmental assessments. Biofuel Res J 3(4):483–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GGS (2013) http://www.ggs.my/index.php/palm-biomass. Accessed 23 Oct 2013

  • Guo J, Lua AC (2003) Textural and chemical properties of adsorbent prepared from palm shell by phosphoric acid activation. Mater Chem Phys 80:114–119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gurunathan T, Mohanty S, Nayak SK (2015) A review of the recent developments in biocomposites based on natural fibres and their application perspectives. Compos A: Appl Sci Manuf 77:1–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hameed BH, Tan IAW, Ahmad AL (2008) Optimization of basic dye removal by oil palm fibre-based activated carbon using response surface methodology. J Hazard Mater 158:324–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan MF, Rahman MRA, Latiff ZA (2016) Review on densification of palm residues as a technique for biomass energy utilization. Jurnal Teknologi 78(9–2):9–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Herawan SG, Hadi MS, Ayob MR, Putra A (2013) Characterization of activated carbons from oil-palm shell by CO2 activation with no holding carbonization temperature. Sci World J 2013:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill CAS, Abdul Khalil HPS (2000) Effect of fiber treatments on mechanical properties of coir or oil palm fiber reinforced polyester composites. J Appl Polym Sci 78(9):1685–1697

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Husain Z, Zainac Z, Abdullah Z (2002) Briquetting of palm fibre and shell from the processing of palm nuts to palm oil. Biomass Bioenergy 22(6):505–509

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim I, Hassan MA, Aziz SA, Shirai Y, Andou Y, Othman MR, Ali AAM, Zakaria MR (2017) Reduction of residual pollutants from biologically treated palm oil mill effluent final discharge by steam activated bioadsorbent from oil palm biomass. J Clean Prod 141:122–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jalani NF, Aziz AA, Wahab NA, Hassan WH, Zainal NH (2016) Application of palm kernel shell activated carbon for the removal of pollutant and color in palm oil mill effluent treatment. J Earth Environ Health Sci 2:15–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia Q, Lua CA (2008) Effects of pyrolysis conditions on the physical characteristics of oil-palm-shell activated carbons used in aqueous phase phenol adsorption. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 83:175–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil HA, Hassan A, Zaidon A, Jawaid M, Paridah MT (2012) Oil palm biomass fibres and recent advancement in oil palm biomass fibres based hybrid biocomposites. In: Composites and their applications. InTech, Croatia, pp 187–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Khankhaje E, Salim MR, Mirza J, Hussin MW, Rafieizonooz M (2016) Properties of sustainable lightweight pervious concrete containing oil palm kernel shell as coarse aggregate. Constr Build Mater 126:1054–1065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klose W, Rincon S (2007) Adsorption and reaction of NO on activated carbon in the presence of oxygen and water vapour. Fuel 86:203–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurnia JC, Jangam SV, Akhtar S, Sasmito AP, Mujumdar AS (2016) Advances in biofuel production from oil palm and palm oil processing wastes: a review. Biofuel Res J 3(1):332–346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee CS, Ong YL, Aroua MK, Daud WMAW (2013) Impregnation of palm shell-based activated carbon with sterically hindered amines for CO2 adsorption. Chem Eng J 219:558–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merzougui Z, Azoudj Y, Bouchemel N, Addoun F (2011) Effect of activation method on the pore structure of activated carbon from date pits application to the treatment of water. Desalin Water Treat 29:236–240

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed RR (2013) Decolorisation of biologically treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) using adsorption technique. Int Refereed J Eng Sci 2(10):1–11

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nasri NS, Hamza UD, Ismail SN, Ahmed MM, Mohsin R (2014) Assessment of porous carbons derived from sustainable palm solid waste for carbon dioxide capture. J Clean Prod 71:148–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nasrin AB, Choo YM, Lim WS, Joseph L, Michael S, Rohaya MH, Astimar AA, Loh SK (2011) Briquetting of empty fruit bunch fibre and palm shell as a renewable energy fuel. J Eng Appl Sci 6(6):446–451

    Google Scholar 

  • Ossman ME, Abdel Fatah M, Taha NA (2014) Fe(III) removal by activated carbon produced from Egyptian rice straw by chemical activation. Desalin Water Treat 52:3159–3168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering KL, Efendy MA, Le TM (2016) A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance. Compos A: Appl Sci Manuf 83:98–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pignon HM, Brasquet CF, Cloirec PL (2003) Adsorption of dyes onto activated carbon cloths: approach of adsorption mechanisms and coupling of ACC with ultrafiltration to treat coloured wastewaters. Sep Purif Technol 31:3–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piskorz J, Radlein D, Scott DS, Czernik S (1988) Liquid products from fast pyrolysis of wood and cellulose. Elsevier Appl Sci: 557–571

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishna KR, Viraraghavan T (1997) Dye removal using low cost adsorbents. Water Sci Technol 36(2–3):189–196

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabil KM, Aziz MA, Lal B, Uemura Y (2013) Effects of torrefaction on the physiochemical properties of oil palm empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber and kernel shell. Biomass Bioenergy 56:351–360

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saka S (2005) Whole efficient utilization of oil palm to value-added products. In: Proceedings of JSPS-VCC Natural Resources & Energy Environment Seminar, Kyoto, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  • Salema A, Hassan A, Bakar AA (2010) Oil-palm fiber as natural reinforcement for polymer composites. Plast Res Online

    Google Scholar 

  • Shinoj S, Visvanathan R, Panigrahi S, Kochubabu M (2011) Oil palm fiber (OPF) and its composites: a review. Ind Crop Prod 33(1):7–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shuit SH, Tan KT, Lee KT, Kamaruddin AH (2009) Oil palm biomass as a sustainable energy source: a Malaysian case study. Energy 34(9):1225–1235

    Google Scholar 

  • Sing CY, Aris MS (2012) An experimental investigation on the handling and storage properties of biomass fuel briquettes made from oil palm mill residues. J Appl Sci 12(24):2621–2625

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sing CY, Aris MS (2013) A study of biomass fuel briquettes from oil palm mill residues. Asian J Sci Res 6(3):537–545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sulaiman F, Abdullah N, Gerhauser H, Shariff A (2011) An outlook of Malaysian energy, oil palm industry and its utilization of wastes as useful resources. Biomass Bioenergy 35(9):3775–3786

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan IAW, Hameed BH, Ahmad AL (2007) Equilibrium and kinetic studies on basic dye adsorption by oil palm fibre activated carbon. Chem Eng J 127:111–119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan IAW, Chan JC, Hameed BH, Lim LLP (2016) Adsorption behavior of cadmium ions onto phosphoric acid-impregnated microwave-induced mesoporous activated carbon. J Water Process Eng 14:60–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Then YY, Ibrahim NA, Zainuddin N, Ariffin H, Wan Yunus WMZ (2013) Oil palm mesocarp fiber as new lignocellulosic material for fabrication of polymer/fiber biocomposites. Int J Polym Sci 2013

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Liang X, Wang Y, Wang X, Liu M, Yin D, Xia S, Zhao J, Zhang Y (2011) Adsorption of Copper (II) onto activated carbons from sewage sludge by microwave-induced phosphoric acid and zinc chloride activation. Desalination 278:231–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wicke B, Sikkema R, Dornburg V, Faaij APC (2011) Exploring land use changes and the role of palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia. Land Use Policy 28(1):193–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong KJ, Nirmal U, Lim BK (2010) Impact behavior of short and continuous fiber reinforced polyester composites. J Reinf Plast Compos 29(23):3463–3474

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang T, Lua AC (2003) Characteristics of activated carbons prepared from pistachio-nut shells by physical activation. J Colloid Interface Sci 267:408–417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yusoff S (2006) Renewable energy from palm oil-innovation on effective utilization of waste. J Clean Prod 14(1):87–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaharah Abas F, Ani FN (2016) Characteristic of oil palm activated carbon produced from microwave and conventional heating. In Appl Mech Mater 819:606–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Maizatulakmal Yahayu, Fatimatul Zaharah Abas & Seri Elyanie Zulkifli

  2. Department of Thermo-Fluids, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Farid Nasir Ani

Authors
  1. Maizatulakmal Yahayu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fatimatul Zaharah Abas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Seri Elyanie Zulkifli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Farid Nasir Ani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maizatulakmal Yahayu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioprocess Engineering & Institute of Bioproduct Development, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Zainul Akmar Zakaria

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Yahayu, M., Abas, F.Z., Zulkifli, S.E., Ani, F.N. (2018). Utilization of Oil Palm Fiber and Palm Kernel Shell in Various Applications. In: Zakaria, Z. (eds) Sustainable Technologies for the Management of Agricultural Wastes. Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5062-6_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation