Alternative technologies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from palm oil mills in Thailand.
Alternative methodologies for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crude palm oil (CPO) production by a wet extraction mill in Thailand were developed. The production of 1 t of CPO from mills with biogas capture (four mills) and without biogas capture (two mills) in 2010 produced GHG emissions of 935 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), on average. Wastewater treatment plants with and without biogas capture produced GHG emissions of 64 and 47% of total GHG emission, respectively. The rest of the emissions mostly originated from the acquisition of fresh fruit bunches. The establishment of a biogas recovery system must be the first step in the reduction of GHG emissions. It could reduce GHG emissions by 373 kgCO2eq/t of CPO. The main source of GHG emission of 163 kgCO2eq/t of CPO from the mills with biogas capture was the open pond used for cooling of wastewater before it enters the biogas recovery system. The reduction of GHG emissions could be accomplished by (i) using a wastewater-dispersed unit for cooling, (ii) using a covered pond, (iii) enhancing the performance of the biogas recovery system, and (iv) changing the stabilization pond to an aerated lagoon. By using options i-iv, reductions of GHG emissions of 216, 208, 92.2, and 87.6 kgCO2eq/t of CPO, respectively, can be achieved.
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University , Hatyai 90112, Thailand.
Roihatai
R
Kaewmai
Aran
A
H-Kittikun
Chaisri
C
Suksaroj
Charongpun
C
Musikavong
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D056804:Biofuels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D017752:Greenhouse Effect / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D061005:Ponds; D013696:Temperature; D013785:Thailand; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry; D018508:Water Purification
D000393:Air Pollutants; D056804:Biofuels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D062065:Wastewater