IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i7p3877-d527814.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Potential of Sustainable Biomass Producer Gas as a Waste-to-Energy Alternative in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Jun Sheng Teh

    (Engineering Campus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal 14300, Penang, Malaysia)

  • Yew Heng Teoh

    (Engineering Campus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal 14300, Penang, Malaysia)

  • Heoy Geok How

    (Department of Engineering, School of Engineering, Computing and Built Environment, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College, 32 Jalan Anson, Georgetown 10400, Penang, Malaysia)

  • Thanh Danh Le

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, 12 Nguyen Van Bao Street, Ward 4, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City 71408, Vietnam)

  • Yeoh Jun Jie Jason

    (Department of Engineering, School of Engineering, Computing and Built Environment, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College, 32 Jalan Anson, Georgetown 10400, Penang, Malaysia)

  • Huu Tho Nguyen

    (Department of Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, 140 Le Trong Tan Street, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City 760310, Vietnam)

  • Dong Lin Loo

    (Engineering Campus, School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal 14300, Penang, Malaysia)

Abstract

It has been widely accepted worldwide, that the greenhouse effect is by far the most challenging threat in the new century. Renewable energy has been adopted to prevent excessive greenhouse effects, and to enhance sustainable development. Malaysia has a large amount of biomass residue, which provides the country with the much needed support the foreseeable future. This investigation aims to analyze potentials biomass gases from major biomass residues in Malaysia. The potential biomass gasses can be obtained using biomass conversion technologies, including biological and thermo-chemical technologies. The thermo-chemical conversion technology includes four major biomass conversion technologies such as gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, and liquefaction. Biomass wastes can be attained through solid biomass technologies to obtain syngas which includes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The formation of tar occurs during the main of biomass conversion reaction such as gasification and pyrolysis. The formation of tar hinders equipment or infrastructure from catalytic aspects, which will be applied to prevent the formation of tar. The emission, combustion, and produced gas reactions were investigated. It will help to contribute the potential challenges and strategies, due to sustainable biomass, to harness resources management systems in Malaysia to reduce the problem of biomass residues and waste.

Suggested Citation

  • Jun Sheng Teh & Yew Heng Teoh & Heoy Geok How & Thanh Danh Le & Yeoh Jun Jie Jason & Huu Tho Nguyen & Dong Lin Loo, 2021. "The Potential of Sustainable Biomass Producer Gas as a Waste-to-Energy Alternative in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-31, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3877-:d:527814
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/3877/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/3877/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Solangi, K.H. & Islam, M.R. & Saidur, R. & Rahim, N.A. & Fayaz, H., 2011. "A review on global solar energy policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 2149-2163, May.
    2. Damartzis, T. & Zabaniotou, A., 2011. "Thermochemical conversion of biomass to second generation biofuels through integrated process design--A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 366-378, January.
    3. Rahman Mohamed, Abdul & Lee, Keat Teong, 2006. "Energy for sustainable development in Malaysia: Energy policy and alternative energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(15), pages 2388-2397, October.
    4. Umar, Mohd Shaharin & Jennings, Philip & Urmee, Tania, 2013. "Strengthening the palm oil biomass Renewable Energy industry in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 107-115.
    5. Dharfizi, Awang Dzul Hashriq & Ghani, Ahmad Bashawir Abdul & Islam, Rabiul, 2020. "Evaluating Malaysia's fuel diversification strategies 1981–2016," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Varkkey, Helena & Tyson, Adam & Choiruzzad, Shofwan Al Banna, 2018. "Palm oil intensification and expansion in Indonesia and Malaysia: Environmental and socio-political factors influencing policy," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 148-159.
    7. Goyal, H.B. & Seal, Diptendu & Saxena, R.C., 2008. "Bio-fuels from thermochemical conversion of renewable resources: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 504-517, February.
    8. Toor, Saqib Sohail & Rosendahl, Lasse & Rudolf, Andreas, 2011. "Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass: A review of subcritical water technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 2328-2342.
    9. Abbasi, Mohammad Hossein & Taki, Mehrdad & Rajabi, Amin & Li, Li & Zhang, Jiangfeng, 2019. "Coordinated operation of electric vehicle charging and wind power generation as a virtual power plant: A multi-stage risk constrained approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 1294-1307.
    10. Shen, Yafei & Yoshikawa, Kunio, 2013. "Recent progresses in catalytic tar elimination during biomass gasification or pyrolysis—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 371-392.
    11. Umar, Mohd Shaharin & Urmee, Tania & Jennings, Philip, 2018. "A policy framework and industry roadmap model for sustainable oil palm biomass electricity generation in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 275-284.
    12. Shafie, S.M. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Masjuki, H.H. & Ahmad-Yazid, A., 2012. "A review on electricity generation based on biomass residue in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5879-5889.
    13. Montoya, Jorge & Valdés, Carlos & Chaquea, Hernando & Pecha, M. Brennan & Chejne, Farid, 2020. "Surplus electricity production and LCOE estimation in Colombian palm oil mills using empty fresh bunches (EFB) as fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    14. Kelly-Yong, Tau Len & Lee, Keat Teong & Mohamed, Abdul Rahman & Bhatia, Subhash, 2007. "Potential of hydrogen from oil palm biomass as a source of renewable energy worldwide," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 5692-5701, November.
    15. Akhtar, Javaid & Amin, Nor Aishah Saidina, 2011. "A review on process conditions for optimum bio-oil yield in hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1615-1624, April.
    16. Gan, Peck Yean & Li, Zhi Dong, 2014. "Econometric study on Malaysia׳s palm oil position in the world market to 2035," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 740-747.
    17. Lew Fulton & Alvin Mejia & Magdala Arioli & Kathleen Dematera & Oliver Lah, 2017. "Climate Change Mitigation Pathways for Southeast Asia: CO 2 Emissions Reduction Policies for the Energy and Transport Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-16, July.
    18. Khatun, Rahima & Reza, Mohammad Imam Hasan & Moniruzzaman, M. & Yaakob, Zahira, 2017. "Sustainable oil palm industry: The possibilities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 608-619.
    19. Parvez, A.M. & Mujtaba, I.M. & Wu, T., 2016. "Energy, exergy and environmental analyses of conventional, steam and CO2-enhanced rice straw gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 579-588.
    20. Patrik Šuhaj & Jakub Husár & Juma Haydary, 2020. "Gasification of RDF and Its Components with Tire Pyrolysis Char as Tar-Cracking Catalyst," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-14, August.
    21. Okolie, Jude A. & Nanda, Sonil & Dalai, Ajay K. & Berruti, Franco & Kozinski, Janusz A., 2020. "A review on subcritical and supercritical water gasification of biogenic, polymeric and petroleum wastes to hydrogen-rich synthesis gas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    22. Yao, Zhiyi & You, Siming & Ge, Tianshu & Wang, Chi-Hwa, 2018. "Biomass gasification for syngas and biochar co-production: Energy application and economic evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 43-55.
    23. Azizi, Kolsoom & Keshavarz Moraveji, Mostafa & Abedini Najafabadi, Hamed, 2018. "A review on bio-fuel production from microalgal biomass by using pyrolysis method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3046-3059.
    24. Mekhilef, S. & Siga, S. & Saidur, R., 2011. "A review on palm oil biodiesel as a source of renewable fuel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1937-1949, May.
    25. Rahman, Farahiyah Abdul & Aziz, Md Maniruzzaman A. & Saidur, R. & Bakar, Wan Azelee Wan Abu & Hainin, M.R & Putrajaya, Ramadhansyah & Hassan, Norhidayah Abdul, 2017. "Pollution to solution: Capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its utilization as a renewable energy source for a sustainable future," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 112-126.
    26. Zhao, Bingtao & Su, Yaxin, 2014. "Process effect of microalgal-carbon dioxide fixation and biomass production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 121-132.
    27. Reinhard Rauch & Jitka Hrbek & Hermann Hofbauer, 2014. "Biomass gasification for synthesis gas production and applications of the syngas," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(4), pages 343-362, July.
    28. Shuit, S.H. & Tan, K.T. & Lee, K.T. & Kamaruddin, A.H., 2009. "Oil palm biomass as a sustainable energy source: A Malaysian case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(9), pages 1225-1235.
    29. Momirlan, M. & Veziroglu, T. N., 2002. "Current status of hydrogen energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 6(1-2), pages 141-179.
    30. Collard, François-Xavier & Blin, Joël, 2014. "A review on pyrolysis of biomass constituents: Mechanisms and composition of the products obtained from the conversion of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 594-608.
    31. Mohammed, M.A.A. & Salmiaton, A. & Wan Azlina, W.A.K.G. & Mohammad Amran, M.S. & Fakhru'l-Razi, A. & Taufiq-Yap, Y.H., 2011. "Hydrogen rich gas from oil palm biomass as a potential source of renewable energy in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1258-1270, February.
    32. Han, Jun & Kim, Heejoon, 2008. "The reduction and control technology of tar during biomass gasification/pyrolysis: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 397-416, February.
    33. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chen, Chia-Yang, 2020. "Water gas shift reaction for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    34. Kumaran, Palanisamy & Hephzibah, David & Sivasankari, Ranganathan & Saifuddin, Normanbay & Shamsuddin, Abd. Halim, 2016. "A review on industrial scale anaerobic digestion systems deployment in Malaysia: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 929-940.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Deborah Panepinto & Marco Ravina & Mariachiara Zanetti, 2022. "An Overview of Thermal Treatment Emissions with a Particular Focus on CO 2 Parameter," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Ghulamullah Maitlo & Imran Ali & Kashif Hussain Mangi & Safdar Ali & Hubdar Ali Maitlo & Imran Nazir Unar & Abdul Majeed Pirzada, 2022. "Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for Syngas Production: Current Status and Future Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-30, February.
    3. Paulina-Soledad Vidal-Espinosa & Manuel Alvarez-Vera & Andrés Cárdenas & Juan-Carlos Cobos-Torres, 2023. "Beneficial Microorganisms in the Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle and Swine Excreta," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Awalludin, Mohd Fahmi & Sulaiman, Othman & Hashim, Rokiah & Nadhari, Wan Noor Aidawati Wan, 2015. "An overview of the oil palm industry in Malaysia and its waste utilization through thermochemical conversion, specifically via liquefaction," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1469-1484.
    2. Ozturk, Munir & Saba, Naheed & Altay, Volkan & Iqbal, Rizwan & Hakeem, Khalid Rehman & Jawaid, Mohammad & Ibrahim, Faridah Hanum, 2017. "Biomass and bioenergy: An overview of the development potential in Turkey and Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1285-1302.
    3. Samiran, Nor Afzanizam & Jaafar, Mohammad Nazri Mohd & Ng, Jo-Han & Lam, Su Shiung & Chong, Cheng Tung, 2016. "Progress in biomass gasification technique – With focus on Malaysian palm biomass for syngas production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1047-1062.
    4. How, Bing Shen & Ngan, Sue Lin & Hong, Boon Hooi & Lam, Hon Loong & Ng, Wendy Pei Qin & Yusup, Suzana & Ghani, Wan Azlina Wan Abd Karim & Kansha, Yasuki & Chan, Yi Herng & Cheah, Kin Wai & Shahbaz, Mu, 2019. "An outlook of Malaysian biomass industry commercialisation: Perspectives and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Hannan, M.A. & Begum, R.A. & Abdolrasol, M.G. & Hossain Lipu, M.S. & Mohamed, A. & Rashid, M.M., 2018. "Review of baseline studies on energy policies and indicators in Malaysia for future sustainable energy development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 551-564.
    6. Derman, Eryati & Abdulla, Rahmath & Marbawi, Hartinie & Sabullah, Mohd Khalizan, 2018. "Oil palm empty fruit bunches as a promising feedstock for bioethanol production in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PA), pages 285-298.
    7. Yan, Kai & Wu, Guosheng & Lafleur, Todd & Jarvis, Cody, 2014. "Production, properties and catalytic hydrogenation of furfural to fuel additives and value-added chemicals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 663-676.
    8. Nur Izzah Hamna A. Aziz & Marlia M. Hanafiah & Shabbir H. Gheewala & Haikal Ismail, 2020. "Bioenergy for a Cleaner Future: A Case Study of Sustainable Biogas Supply Chain in the Malaysian Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-24, April.
    9. Guan, Guoqing & Kaewpanha, Malinee & Hao, Xiaogang & Abudula, Abuliti, 2016. "Catalytic steam reforming of biomass tar: Prospects and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 450-461.
    10. Yang, Jie & (Sophia) He, Quan & Yang, Linxi, 2019. "A review on hydrothermal co-liquefaction of biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 926-945.
    11. Petinrin, J.O. & Shaaban, Mohamed, 2015. "Renewable energy for continuous energy sustainability in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 967-981.
    12. Cuevas-Castillo, Gabriela A. & Navarro-Pineda, Freddy S. & Baz Rodríguez, Sergio A. & Sacramento Rivero, Julio C., 2020. "Advances on the processing of microalgal biomass for energy-driven biorefineries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    13. Lim, Chun Hsion & Lam, Hon Loong, 2016. "Biomass supply chain optimisation via novel Biomass Element Life Cycle Analysis (BELCA)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 733-745.
    14. Tye, Ying Ying & Lee, Keat Teong & Wan Abdullah, Wan Nadiah & Leh, Cheu Peng, 2011. "Second-generation bioethanol as a sustainable energy source in Malaysia transportation sector: Status, potential and future prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4521-4536.
    15. Tripathi, Manoj & Sahu, J.N. & Ganesan, P., 2016. "Effect of process parameters on production of biochar from biomass waste through pyrolysis: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 467-481.
    16. Mohsin Raza & Abrar Inayat & Basim Abu-Jdayil, 2021. "Crude Glycerol as a Potential Feedstock for Future Energy via Thermochemical Conversion Processes: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-27, November.
    17. Ashnani, Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi & Johari, Anwar & Hashim, Haslenda & Hasani, Elham, 2014. "A source of renewable energy in Malaysia, why biodiesel?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 244-257.
    18. Su, Guangcan & Mohd Zulkifli, Nurin Wahidah & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Ibrahim, Shaliza & Bu, Quan & Zhu, Ruonan, 2022. "Pyrolysis of oil palm wastes for bioenergy in Malaysia: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    19. Srirangan, Kajan & Akawi, Lamees & Moo-Young, Murray & Chou, C. Perry, 2012. "Towards sustainable production of clean energy carriers from biomass resources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 172-186.
    20. Dmitrii Glushkov & Galina Nyashina & Anatolii Shvets & Amaro Pereira & Anand Ramanathan, 2021. "Current Status of the Pyrolysis and Gasification Mechanism of Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3877-:d:527814. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.