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Sustainability of Biofuel Production from Oil Palm Biomass pp 149–187Cite as

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Biofuel Production from Oil Palm Biomass

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Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

With the aim of minimizing the dependency on fossil fuels whilst improving the economic viability and environmental performances of oil palm production for biofuels production, emission control from these systems become invincible. However, with best management practices couples with stringent adherence to basic environmental sustainability principles, these hurdles may be surmounted. The environmental sustainability dimension of impact assessment for this chapter is based on life cycle assessment for common palm biofuels like biodiesel, bioethanol, bio-methanol via BtL route, biogas and bio-electricity from oil palm biomass. Possible improvement options are also outlined in this chapter to ensure more positive energy balance and almost zero emissions from each of the biofuels production systems considered.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Human health comprises carcinogens, respiratory organics/inorganics, climate change, ionizing radiation and ozone layer which are measured in disability adjusted life years (DALY) (person·yr).

  2. 2.

    Ecosystem quality comprises ecotoxicity, acidification/eutrophication and land use measured in potentially disappeared fraction of species (PDF·m2·yr).

  3. 3.

    Resources use comprises fossil fuel and minerals use which is measured by resource damage (MJ/kg).

  4. 4.

    ‘Biodiesel production units’ refer to the transesterification stage of the whole palm biodiesel production system.

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  1. School of Chemical Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Seri Ampangan, Nibong Tebal, 14300, SPS Penang, Malaysia

    Keat Teong Lee & Cynthia Ofori-Boateng

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  1. Keat Teong Lee
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  2. Cynthia Ofori-Boateng
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Correspondence to Keat Teong Lee .

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Lee, K.T., Ofori-Boateng, C. (2013). Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Biofuel Production from Oil Palm Biomass. In: Sustainability of Biofuel Production from Oil Palm Biomass. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4451-70-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4451-70-3_5

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