Environmental and economic analysis of a biodiesel power plant derived from the fast pyrolysis of empty fruit bunches

Abstract

As a major waste biomass from the palm oil mill process, empty fruit bunches (EFBs) are a potential energy source. This study analyses the environmental and economic impact of biofuel in the fast pyrolysis of EFBs to produce 100 kW of electricity. Aspen Plus commercial simulation provided 100 tons/day of dried EFBs to produce bio-oil, char, and gas at 74.4, 12.1, and 13.5 tons/day, respectively. From the economic perspective, the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period (PBP) for this number of EFBs equate to USD10.71 M, 10.4%, and 13.18 years, respectively, based on 20 years of life and a total capital investment of USD36.26 M. The PM2.5 formation from the process is 19.6 tons PM2.5 eq (equivalent)/year in terms of environmental impact. In addition, the process results indicate significant greenhouse gas emissions of 44,608 tons CO₂ eq (carbondioxide equivalent)/year. In comparison, landfill or direct EFB combustion can reduce CO₂ emissions by 69,964- and 10,446-tons CO₂ eq/year, respectively. Damage to human health, represented by disability-adjusted loss of life years, is about 0.11, while damage to ecosystem diversity, representing species loss during a year, is around 0.125. In both cases, the damage incurred by EFB fast pyrolysis is lower than landfill and direct EFB combustion.