BIOMASS POTENTIAL ENERGY FROM
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
NURUL HAYATI BINTI JAMIL
This project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honors
(Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing System)
Faculty of Engineering UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
2004
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, thanks god for giving the author chance to write about this
project. In this opportunity, the author would like to express her gratitude to her
supervisor Madam Shanti Faridah Salleh for her encouragement, supervision and
patience. Gratefully acknowledge to Mr Johan Hj. Ubey, Mr. Radzuan Among and
Mr. Thonny Angkujat from Department of Agriculture of Samarahan, Asajaya and
Sebangan division for their help in collecting the samples for laboratory works. Not
forgotten, also thanks to FSTS animal lab technicians and to those individuals who in
any other way made significant contributions to produce this project.
Personally, the author would like to acknowledge the author's friends
especially Nurul Aini Md. Haniff and Brenda ak Norbert for being so encouraging,
supporting and understanding. It's a great pleasure to gratitude the author's family
that made full support and understanding the author's needs. Last but not least, the
author really appreciates for full commitment and all things that this people had done.
1
ABSTRACT
Biomass is one of renewable energy that promises potential local economic and
global environmental benefits from its utilization as electricity generation. Malaysia's
goal to utilize the generate 5% of its electricity from renewable energy has
encouraged many researchers to explore the biomass resources. Towards achieving
this objective, one of biomass resources that available in Malaysia is agricultural
waste. It will be the most potential resources since Malaysia is well known for its
agricultural activities. This project is about biomass potential energy from agricultural
wastes. The focus is on Sarawak agricultural activities, where the study begins with
recognizing the potential agricultural resources in this state. The main objective of
this project is to determine the relation between energy content and moisture content
in the potential biomass resources. Thus, the laboratory works are carried out to
determine the calorific value and also the moisture content in the agricultural wastes.
The analysis of the effect of moisture content on the calorific value is included in the
laboratory works. The result will provide useful data to design an optimum process
conversion of biomass to energy. Chemical analysis about influences of harvesting
time on the agricultural wastes and a construction of small-scale biomass technology
converter in Asajaya were recommended.
ii
ABSTRAK
"Biomass " adalah salah satu daripada tenaga yang boleh diperbaharui yang
menjanjikan potensi dalam ekonomi tempatan dan manfaat kepada persekitaran global
hasil daripada peggunaannya dalam penjanaan elektrik. Adalah objektif Malaysia
untuk menggunakan lima peratus janaan eletriknya daripada tenaga yang dapat
diperbaharui. Hal ini telah menggalakkan ramai penyelidik menerokai sumber-sumber
"biomass ". Kearah mencapai objektif ini, salah satu daripada sumber-sumber biomass
yang terdapat di Malaysia ialah sisa buangan daripada pertanian. la akan merupakan
sumber yang paling berpotensi kerana Malaysia sememangnya terkenal dengan
aktiviti-aktiviti pertaniannya. Projek ini adalah berkaitan dengan potensi tenaga
"biomass " daripada sisa buangan pertanian. Fokus utama adalah aktiviti-aktiviti
pertanian di Sarawak. Di mana, kajian ini bermula dengan mengenal pasti sumber-
sumber sisa buangan pertanian dalam negeri ini. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah
untuk menentukan hubungan antara kandungan tenaga dan tahap kelembapan di
dalam sumber-sumber "biomass " yang berpotensi. Dengan demikian, kerja-kerja
makmal dapat dilakukan untuk menentukan "calorific value " dan juga kandungan
kelembapan di dalam sisa buangan pertanian. Analisis berkenaan kesan daripada
kandungan kelembapan kepada "calorific value" turut dimasukkan dalam kerja-kerja
makmal. Keputusan daripada eksperimen ini akan memberikan informasi yang
berguna untuk merekabentuk proses pertukaran biomass kepada tenaga yang optima.
Akhir sekali, analisis kimia keatas masa penuaian terhadap hasil buangan daripada
pertanian dan juga pembinaan proses penukar biomass kepada tenaga berskala kecil
telah dicadangkan.
iii
CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
BORANG PENYERAHAN LAPORAN
APPROVAL SHEET
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
ABSTRAK
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to Biomass
1.2 Biomass Resources
1.3 Problem Statement
1.4 Introduction to the Project
1.5 Objectives
1.6 Scope Area
1.7 The advantages of Project
CHAPTER 2- LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Biomass as Source of Energy
2.2 Agricultural Wastes as Source of Biomass Energy
2.3 Background of Agricultural Activities in Malaysia
2.4 Biomass Energy in Malaysia
2.5 Potential Agricultural Wastes Resources in Malaysia
2.5.1 Oil Palm
2.5.2 Paddy
1
11
iii
vi
vii
I
2
3
4
5
5
8
9
10
11
14
14
14
16
iv
2.5.3 Coconut 17
2.6 Methods to Predict Potential Energy from Agricultural Wastes 18
2.7 Biomass Conversion 19
2.7.1 Gasification 20
2.7.2 Pyrolysis 20
2.7.3 Direct Combustion 21
2.8 The Advantages of using Biomass based Agricultural Wastes as Fuel 21
2.9 The Future Prospect about Biomass 22
2.10 Influences of Moisture Content to The Combustion Chamber 23
CHAPTER 3- METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 25
3.2 Data Collection 26
3.3 Material Preparation 26
3.4 Apparatus and Experimental Procedure 29
3.5 Calculation for Potential Energy 31
CHAPTER 4- RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Potential Biomass Sources 33
4.2 The Calorific Value of Agricultural Wastes 37
4.3 Moisture Content 40
4.4 Effect of Moisture Content to the Calorific Value 43
CHAPTER 5- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 45
5.2 Recommendation 46
BIBLIOGRAPHY 50
APPENDIX
V
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NUMBER PAGE
Figure 1.1: European Biomass Resources (Mt/y (dry) 2
Figure 1.2: Sarawak: Area and Land Use (in hectare) 6
Figure 1.3: Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak 7
Figure 2.1: Mathematical Modeling 19
Figure 3.1: Work Flow Diagram 25
Figure 3.2: Preparation of Rice Husk Sample for Laboratory Work 28
Figure 3.3: Preparation of sample for Oven-Dried 29
Figure 3.4: Bomb Calorimeter 29
Figure 3.5: Schematic Diagram for Bomb Calorimeter 30
Figure 4.1: Oil Palm Planted Area (Sarawak) 34
Figure 4.2: Paddy Planted Area (Sarawak) 35
Figure 4.3: Coconut Planted Area (Sarawak) 36
Figure 4.4: Moisture Content 40
Figure 4.5: Oven-dried Sample 42
Figure 4.6: Effect of Moisture Content in Calorific Value of Coconut 44
Frond
Figure 4.7: Effect of Moisture Content in Calorific Value of Rice Husk 44
Figure 5.1: Burning Process 48
vi
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NUMBER PAGE
Table 1.1: Capacity Generation of Electricity in Sarawak 6
Table 2.1: Energy Potential from Biomass 10
Table 2.2: Calorific Value 11
Table 2.3: Planted Area of Main Crops in Malaysia 12
Table 2.4: Planted Area of Main Crops in Sarawak 13
Table 2.5: Agricultural Land Use, 1995-2005 13
Table 2.6: The Result of Proximate Analysis for Rice Husk 17
Table 2.7: Summarize of Coconut Wastes in Thailand 18
Table 3.1: Biomass Resources 27
Table 4.1: Calorific Value 38
Table 4.2: Comparison of Experimental Result with Previous Works 38
Table 4.3: Comparison of Moisture Content Value 41
vii
Special dedicated to:
Mom and Dad
My beloved Family
and
Little sister Aini
"THANKS FOR SUPPORTING ME "
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to Biomass
The limited fossil fuel resources forced the people to find other alternative for
energy. Biomass has been recognized as one of the useful renewable energy in the
future. Patterson (1994) wrote that in 1990s, nevertheless biomass may be on the
threshold of a new breakthrough as a new fuel for advanced forms of electricity
generation. The electricity generation as a result of biomass energy has acknowledged
many researchers concerned about the potential energy available in biomass. Biomass
itself can be defined as all renewable energy organic matter including plant material,
whether grown on land or in water; animal products and manure; food processing and
forestry by products and urban wastes (Stout, 1983). The exploration about this
renewable energy is growing interest to provide increasing of energy consumption
need. According to the World Energy Council (WEC), world energy use may increase
from 8.8 Gtoe per year in 1990 to between 11.3) and 17.2 Gtoe in 2020 (Patterson,
1994). Thus, the exploration of this kind of renewable energy is growing interest to
provide an increasing of energy demand.
I
1.2 Biomass Resources
There are many resources for biomass, which includes agricultural wastes.
According to www. genencor. com, agricultural waste can be described as a vast
amount of waste product known as biomass is produced from the agriculture industry.
These may include animal by product, stalks from processed corn, or pesticide
residue. Based on the study of Wrixon et al (1993), agricultural waste is the highest
European biomass resources available. Figure 1.1 shows the graph of European
Biomass Resources, where from the graph it can be concluded that agricultural wastes
and other energy crops are the highest biomass resources.
Figure 1.1: European Biomass Resources (Mt/y (dry)
Source: Wrixon et. a! (1993). Renewable Energy- 2000
2
1.3 Problem Statement
Based on the report in www. cetdem. org. my/EightMalaysiaPlan. html, the
energy we use today comes mainly from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil,
natural gas& uranium. Where, all of which are finite resources and will depleted. The
report also stated that the use of these types of fuel are damaging to our health and to
the environment. The one of the Malaysia's goal in Eight Malaysia Plan is to generate
5% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2005 and introduced it as the
country's fifth fuel source. Towards this Malaysia's goal, agricultural wastes will be
the one of potential biomass renewable energy. Utilizing only 5% of renewable
energy could save country RM 5 billion over 5 years (Mariyappan, 2000).
Furthermore the advantages in utilizing agricultural waste as the biomass energy,
attracted more research about these fuels. The advantages will be literally discussed in
the next chapter.
Commonly, the practice of agricultural wastes are left in the field to rot or
discarded through open burning. Some of the wastes also are useful for other
economics purpose. As an example, the coconut wastes such as coconut husk are used
in automobile industry as the one of material to manufacture a seat. Today, the
potential energy in these wastes is beneficial to commercialize as a fuel for electricity
generation.
, ý
1.4 Introduction to the Project
This project is about biomass potential energy from agricultural wastes. It is
focusing more on determination of the calorific value or potential energy from
agricultural wastes such as rice husk, coconut shell, oil palm frond and rice straw.
According to the Collins English Dictionary (2000), the calorific value can be defined
as the quantity of heat produced by the complete combustion of given mass of a fuel,
usually expressed in joules per kilogram. Wastes that are used in this project have
been recognized as the potential agricultural wastes resources in Sarawak.
The research is begins with recognizing the potential agricultural wastes
resources available in Sarawak. Then, the study of potential energy and the moisture
content in the agricultural wastes are carried out through the laboratory work.
Agricultural wastes can be divided in two categories which are animal residue and
crop residue. However, for this project, the author only emphasize on crop residue.
Beside that, this project also stress on the analysis of potential energy of
agricultural wastes in different moisture content. Moreover, the recommendation of
feasibility of distributing this biomass energy to people in the vicinity of the
agricultural zone is provided.
4
1.5 Objectives
The main objective of producing this project is to find out the potential energy
contain in an available agricultural wastes resources by determine its calorific value.
The potential agricultural wastes sources only can be determined after comprehensive
understanding of agricultural activities in Sarawak. The project also carried out an
analysis of moisture content in the material in order to determine the presence of
water contents in each of agricultural wastes that has been recognized as potentially
available in Sarawak. Finally, the effect of different moisture content to the calorific
value of these wastes is studied.
1.6 Scope Area
The research had covered the agricultural industry in Malaysia as general.
Refers to the research done by Bahar et a! (1999). Malaysia is well known for its
agricultural activities and agro industrial business. Therefore the existence of a huge
amount of agricultural waste is undeniable. In his report also stated that the potential
agricultural wastes sources are oil palm, paddy, rubber, coconut, cocoa and pineapple.
In order to recognizing the potential or available agricultural wastes, the scope
area for this study is focused only on Sarawak agricultural industry. Sarawak is well
known as the largest states in Malaysia. The total Sarawak land area is about
12,325,402 ha. Figure 1.2 below shows an about 32.04% of land in Sarawak is used
5
for agricultural activities. Based on this percentage, a huge amount of renewable
agricultural wastes are generated.
Swamp (Paya) 138,977 1.13%
Dry Fo 6,822,5
55.35`
Sarawak: Area and Land Use
Settlement and Associated Non-
agricultural Lands 35,959 0.29%
Hoticultural lands 46,822 0.38%
WeUHill Paddy 3,707.772 30.08%
Unused Land 63,368 0.51%
Swamp Forest 1,262,245
10.24%
Figure 1.2: Sarawak: Area and Land Use (in hectare)
Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak-2003
Increasing in demand of energy usage, the agricultural wastes will makes
useful as alternative for biomass energy. The consumption of energy plays an
important role for future strategies in generating electricity. Here, the capacity
generation and consumption of electricity in Sarawak are summarized in Table 1.1
and Figure 1.3.
Tree, Palm and other permenant crops
247,669 2.01%
6
Table 1.1: Capacity generation of Electricity in Sarawak
Year Generating
Capacity
(Kilowatt)
Units Generated
(Million KWh)
Number of consumers
1997 758,1 10 3.314.4 282.460
1998 729,507 3,523.5 294,046
1999 708,111 3,593.5 309,171
2000 1,004,127 4,018.3 324,178
2001 992,768 4,205.8 341,228
2002 1,043,514 4,434.9 361,558
Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak-2002
Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak (2002)
Q Domestic Industrial & Commercial Q Public & Street Lighting
Figure 1.3: Consumption of Electricity in Sarawak
Source: Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak- 2002
7
1.7 The Advantages of Project
Biomass is renewable energy that can be useful as alternative fuel for power
generation in Malaysia. This project would result in the useful data for designing
efficient process of biomass conversion, where the performed data are the potential
energy of different type of agricultural wastes and its moisture content. Furthermore,
by utilizing it, the wastes from agricultural industry can be minimizes. Based on this
project, the utilization of agricultural wastes for electrification can be developed or
provided in rural area where the agriculture activities are the main economics.
8
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter provides the works of the previous researchers includes any appropriate
data from the articles which are related to biomass potential energy study. The
discussion is focused on the study of agricultural wastes as biomass energy and
relevant issues involve in utilizing this type of biomass resources for energy.
2.1 Biomass as Source of Energy
Marty (2000) wrote that ever since humans first huddled around fire warmth,
people have burned logs; straw, wood and animal waste otherwise known as biomass
to create energy. Only after the industrial age matured did people abandon biomass
for the modern conveniences and relatively low costs power provided by fossil fuels
and electricity. On the articles titled burning biomass (alternative energy sources), she
also stated that today, with 82 percent of U. S energy supplied by fossil fuels, biomass
appears to be coming back into vogue as one of the top contenders for replacing these
finite and polluting resources.
Marty (2000) had wrote on her articles the statement of Evald Anders who is a
research technologist at the Centre for Biomass Technology in Denmark which is
stated that global warming issues have forced exploration of bioenergy as an
9
alternative to oil and coal. He also added that biomass can also include biofuels,
gaseous fuels for engine and turbine application and can be used in everything from
the fireplaces of third world nations to modern steam cycle systems that create both
heat and power in industrial countries. The agricultural wastes become more popular
as the biomass energy. The recycled green waste is marketed to various end users for
fertilizer, fibreboard, fuel for boiler for electricity generation and other uses (Gardens,
2000).
2.2 Agricultural Wastes as Source of Biomass Energy
Ernest (1981) defined the crop residues as the no edible plant parts that are left
in the field after harvest and remains that are generate from crop-packing plants or
that are discarded during crop processing. Agricultural residues are considered one of
the chief sources of biomass for immediate and near future energy production
(Nicholas at el, 1980). Table 2.1 below has shown the energy potential from biomass
as of 1999.
Table 2.1: Energy Potential from Biomass
Type of Agrowaste Amount (million tonnes) Est. Energy Potential (TJ)
Wood Processing 15 million tonnes agrowastes 280
Palm Oil Mill
Processing
18 agrowastes + 10 million
cubic metre biogas
250
Rice Mills 0.3 million tonnes agrowastes Na
Source: National Energy Balance Malaysia 1980-99, Ministry of Energy,
Communications and Multimedia
10
Energy contain in the agricultural wastes can be determined by its calorific
value. The following table shows the calorific value of several agricultural wastes
which are adapted from www. indiansolar energy.
Table 2.2: Calorific Value
BIOMASS Approx heating value Kcal/Kg Natural State Dry state
1 Wood 1500 3500 2 Cattle dung 1000 3700 3 Bagasse 2200 4400 4 Wheat and rice straw 2400 2500 5 Cane trash, rice husk, leaves and vegetable
wastes 3000 3000
6 Coconut husks, dry rass and crop residue 3500 3500 7 Groundnut shells 4000 4000 8 Coffee and oil palm husks 4200 4200 9 Cotton husks 4400 4400 10 Peat 6500 6500
Source: http: /www. indiasolar. com
2.3 Background of Agricultural Activities in Malaysia
Bahar et al (1999) had written that Malaysia is well known for its agricultural
activities and agro industrial business. Therefore the existence of a huge amount of
agricultural waste is undeniable. Many studies have been-carried out in manipulating
these wastes into useful product or as a source of energy. In their journal had
explained that one of the previous researchers reported that a total of around 373PJ
energy per year could be produced from these wastes, which include major
agricultural and longing activities. Major crops planted are oil palm, rubber, rice,
mixed horticulture, coconut, and orchard.
11
In order to visualize the plantation of main crops in Malaysia the table 2.3 is
presented below.
Table 2.3: Planted Area of Main Crops in Malaysia
Main Crops 2000 2001 2002(p) Rubber Total 1,430.7 1,389.3 1,348.4
Smallholding 123.8 95.5 84.0 Estate 1,306.9 1,293.8 1,264.4
Oil Palm Total 3,376.7 3,499.0 3,670.2 Estate 2,024.3 2,079.3 2,187.7 Smallholding/ Scheme
1,352.4 1,419.7 1,482.5
Cocoa Total 75.7 57.9 51.1 Estate 22.4 19.6 19.3 Smallholding 53.3 38.3 31.8
Paddy (a) 689.7 673.6 Pepper 13.4 13.8 14.1 Tobacco 15.8 16.0 14.4 Pineapple 7.3 6.3 6.4 Tea 3.1 3.1 3.1
(p) Provisional Source: Year Book of Statistics Malaysia- 2002
The planted area of main crops in Sarawak can be summarized by table 2.4
which is taken from Year Book Statistics Sarawak 2002.
12
Table 2.4: Planted Area of Main Crops in Sarawak
Main 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Crops Rubber 173,567 174,993 170,172 168,523 167,523 Oil Palm 147,007 248,430 320,476 330,387 374,828 Coconut 25,590 25,683 26,334 25,578 25,262 Cocoa 16,031 13,283 10,895 6,832 6,093 Paddy(*)
Wet 55,399 56,325 60,190 58,364 57,860 Dry/Hill 71,101 71,289 71,418 72,517 66,784 Total 126,500 127,614 131,608 130,881 124,644
. Pepper 10,178 11,373 12,196 13,327 13,344
(Hectare) (*) Paddy statistics for a reference year, e. g 2000, will include data for main season crop 1999/2000 for wet and hill paddy and off-season crop 2000 for wet paddy
Table 2.5: Agricultural Land Use, 1995-2005
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE, 1995-2005
(hectares) Average Annual Grow th Rate (%)
Commodity 1995 2000 2005 7MP 7MP SMP
Target Achieved Target
Agricultural Industrial
Commodities
Rubber 1,727,000 1,430,700 1,301,500 -3.8 -3.7 -1.9 Oil Palm 2,507,611 3,460,000 3,100,000 1.1 6.7 -2.2 Cocoa 234,538 105,000 105,000 -1.9 -14.8 0.0
Pepper 8,600 11,480 12,500 -1.1 5.9 1.7
Pineapple 9,081 10,233 16,000 4.5 2.4 9.4
Tobacco 10,539 15,000 12,500 -1.0 7.3 -3.6 Food Commodities
Padi' 592,410 572,196 611,000 -9.7 -0.7 0.6
Coconut' 298,740 220,000 201,000 -5.0 -5.9 -1.8 Vagetables' 42,000 51,420 77,290 3.0 4.1 8.5
Fruits' 244,471 297,436 379,613 7.1 4.0 5.0
Others2 68,146 67,534 67,737 -0.3 -0.2 0.1
Total3 5,743,137 5,949,934 6,314,977 -1.4 0.7 1.2
Notes:
I Based on harvested area 2 Include tea, coffee and other crops 3 Refers to physical area and exclude multi-cropping
Source: Agricultural Development, Malaysia Plan
13
2.4 Biomass Energy in Malaysia
There are various types of biomass material depending on their chemical
composition, moisture content, size and calorific value, (Alauddin, 1999). He also
wrote that among the various renewable source of energy, biomass is considered
seriously as potential source of energy in the next millennium. Malaysia has named
biomass as fifth sources of energy in Malaysia.
2.5 Potential Agricultural Wastes Resources in Malaysia
This part is contain the reviewed of agricultural wastes available in Malaysia
as reported by previous researchers.
2.5.1 Oil Palm
The area occupied by oil palm in Malaysia has expand rapidly, such that in the
year 2000 about 10 percent of the entire country was covered by the crop,
representing 56 per cent of the agricultural land area, thus dominating other single
agricultural activity (Henson, 2003). Oil Palm wastes can be categorized into two
which are solid and liquid waste. The process of oil extraction results in the
production of both solid and liquid wastes. The solid wastes which are mostly
lignocelluloses are in the form of empty fruit bunches (EFB), fibres from the
pericarp/mesocarp of the fruits, and shell from the nuts of the fruit (Lim et al, 1999).
Currently, the fronds are leaved to rot on the plantation grounds. Lim et al (1999) had
14
quoted the work of Husin et al (1986) who had reported that roughly II dry tonnes of
fronds are annually pruned from one ha of land. The energy content of these work out
to be 33.39 boe per year as the calorific value of fronds is 18.73 MJ per kg oven dry
weight.
Lim (1986), on the other hand reported that the dry matter yields of shells,
fruit fibres and empty fruit bunches are respectively 2.78,1.853 and 1.483 tonnes per
ha per year. The energy potential available from these biomass are respectively 10.15,
5.86 and 4.92 barrel of oil equivalent (boe) per ha per year (Lim et al, 1999). Islam et
al (1999) had quoted the study of Yatim (1996), which is wrote that Malaysia
generates 7.7 million tons of empty fruit bunch, 6.0 million tons of fibre and 2.4
million tons of palm shell every year as wastes.
Attempts have been initiated in a couple of palm oil mills to utilise the POME
for biogas production. The experience from one mill indicates that with their
production of 680 m3 of POME per day, 19000m3 of biogas per day can be produced
in digester tank, (Tan H. J, 1996). As reported by Lim et al (1999), the characteristics
of biogas that produced from POME are 54 -80% CH4,20-46% CO2,560-2580 ppm
of H2S and 4740 - 6150 kcal/m3.
According to Malaysian Palm Oil Board in their presentation of short term and
long term projection of Malaysia Palm Oil Production, hectares planted area of palm
oil in 2002,59.6% was located in Peninsular Malaysia and 40.4% in Sabah and
Sarawak (East Malaysia). In future most of the new planting under oil palm will be in
15