A Novel Technology for the Production of Fertilizer from Oil Palm Ash: Zero Waste Emission Concept
Researchers:
Dr Lee Keat Teong
Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin
Irvan Dahlan
Nor Fatiha Zainudin
Being the largest producer of palm oil in the world, Malaysia has to face with the consequences of the huge accumulation (30 million tons per year) of undesired solid biomass such as empty fruit bunch, fibers and shell. In order to reduce these waste, the solid biomass are incinerated or combusted in incinerators/boilers. However, this process does not entirely solve the problem, as ashes are left behind and air pollutant such as NOx and SOx are being generated. This makes the “Life Cycle Impact Assessment” of the Palm Oil Industry not sustainable. In our invention, we have developed a novel technology to convert the ashes into fertilizer utilizing the air pollutants generated. The fertilizer produced was found to be comparable to those available in the market and can be used in the palm oil plantation, reducing the cost of fertilizer. Eventually, this invention has made the “Life Cycle Impact Assessment” of the Palm Oil Industry sustainable and thus increasing the marketability of palm oil in the world market.
For more information, please contact
Dr Lee Keat Teong
Universiti Sains Malaysia
(Contact details available to registered journalists from the link below)
