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Process design and life cycle assessment of furfural and glucose co-production derived from palm oil empty fruit bunches

Author

Listed:
  • Zi Wei Ng

    (Monash University)

  • Hui Xin Gan

    (Monash University)

  • Aditya Putranto

    (Monash University)

  • M. Akbar Rhamdhani

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Sharif H. Zein

    (University of Hull)

  • Oluwafemi Ayodele George

    (University of Lagos)

  • Jannata Giwangkara

    (Climateworks Centre)

  • Ivan Butar

    (Monash University)

Abstract

In light of environmental issues, lignocellulosic empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass is promoted as a carbon–neutral, environmentally friendly, and renewable alternative feedstock. A comprehensive environmental assessment of EFB biorefineries is critical for determining their sustainability in parallel with the bioeconomy policy. Nonetheless, no life cycle assessment (LCA) has been performed on co-producing food and biochemicals (furfural and glucose) derived from EFB biomass. This research is the first to evaluate the environmental performance of the furfural and glucose co-production processes from EFB biomass. Environmental analysis is conducted using a prospective gate-to-gate LCA for four impact categories, including global warming potential (GWP), acidification (ADP), eutrophication (EP), and human toxicity (HT). Aspen Plus is used to simulate the co-production process of furfural and glucose as well as generate mass and energy balances for LCA inventory data usage. The findings suggest that the environmental footprint in respect of GWP, ADP, EP, and HT is 4846.85 kg CO2 equivalent per ton EFB, 7.24 kg SO2 equivalent per ton EFB, 1.52 kg PO4 equivalent per ton EFB, and 2.62E-05 kg 1,4-DB equivalent per ton EFB, respectively. The normalized overall impact scores for GWP, ADP, EP, and HT are 1.16E-10, 2.28E-11, 6.12E-10, and 2.18E-17 years/ton of EFB, respectively. In summary, the proposed integrated plant is not only economically profitable but also environmentally sustainable. In the attempt to enhance the Malaysian economic sector based on the EFB, this study has the potential to serve as an indicator of the environmental sustainability of the palm oil industry. Graphical abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Zi Wei Ng & Hui Xin Gan & Aditya Putranto & M. Akbar Rhamdhani & Sharif H. Zein & Oluwafemi Ayodele George & Jannata Giwangkara & Ivan Butar, 2023. "Process design and life cycle assessment of furfural and glucose co-production derived from palm oil empty fruit bunches," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(12), pages 13937-13958, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:25:y:2023:i:12:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02633-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02633-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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