pollution control equipment (such as cyclone,
fabric bag filter, electrostatic precipitator) that
provides end-of-pipe treatment is not economical
for installation on boilers imposed with presently
operating conditions of fluctuating steam demand
and steam demand peaks. For example, the dust
collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitator
is sensitive to varying flue gas flow rates and
particulate burdens during operation.
Applying systems thinking principles, attention
paid to the application and uses of the steam
produced by the boiler derived how the overall
system efficiency of the boiler is improved. This
paves the way for an effective way to reduce
boiler emissions through reduced and steadystate
steam demand. Improving system efficiency
means that less fuel is required to run the entire
palm oil extraction process, which in turn leads to
lower overall emissions.
g. Lost Potential of Emissions Reduction via CHP
and Distributed Generation (DG) Opportunities
Co-generation can achieve better CO 2
reductions
compared with either pure heat or power
generation when operating on a quantity of the
same type of fuel. However, it would require a
consumer in need of low-temperature heat.
Significantly, palm oil mills are consumers of
low-temperature heat providing opportunities for
large heat-to-power conversion facilities. As such,
top-up CHP configuration at a mill has the potential
to generate at extraordinarily high-power efficiency
levels (80 – 85%). Large power commensurates with
higher boiler steam conditions and process heat
consumption levels. Tapping this potential can further
help to optimise the energy prospective at the mill.
PALM OIL MILLS - POTENTIAL FOR
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
Being a widely spread resource, there are more
than 450 palm oil mills all over the country. Palm
oil mills offer a huge potential for the execution
of Distributed Generation (DG) that is gaining
importance in liberalised electricity markets. Being
able to meet local energy needs would be relevant
for rural electrification purposes. Further benefit
would be that transmission and distribution losses
in the electricity network could be avoided.
The unlocked biomass resources will spur
the growth of CHP generation. Presently, MF and
PKS are wasted valuable RE resources, which are
abundant and extremely desirable as a renewable
bio-fuel. They possess significant energy density,
low moisture and favourable combustion
properties compared with EFB to generate RE with
low transportation costs, reliable operation and
high generation efficiencies.
Each palm oil mill of 60 tonnes/hour capacity
has an expected potential to export about 5
MWe of dispatchable power during its estimated
6,600 operating hours a year. In addition, it can
export surplus biomass to practise co-generation
elsewhere up to 7.3 MWe.
On a national level, when the biomass (MF
and PKS) and biogas are utilised efficiently, it is
expected that about 3.3 GWe of dispatchable
surplus power could be exported from the mills
for up to 6,600 hours per year, and distributed
throughout the country.
It is pertinent to note that the big advantage
and superior feature of biomass plant is that
it exports dispatchable power. This allows
CHP operators to meaningfully participate in
dependable/reliable DG and contribute to national
aspirations by playing an important role to bring
about viable RE generation and carbon emissions
reduction. Dispatchable power ensures continuous
operation of isolated grids, providing the required
level of Quality of Service (QoS).
CONCLUSION
Horizontal sterilisers
Adopting a systems thinking approach helped
unearth the potential for WtW in palm oil mills. It
was a rewarding and fulfilling journey that resulted
in the successful award of three patents.
75