Joint Study Aims to Convert Palm Oil By-product into Biofuels

In Malaysia, a microwave technique may turn the pollutant palm oil mill effluents (POME) into highly desirable biodiesel and bio-compost.

Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and University of Hull in UK have teamed up to begin a joint study entitled 'Enhancing Environmental Resilience and Energy Security by Developing Efficient Novel Methods for Converting Palm Oil Waste to Biodiesel and Fertilizers.' The project will also conduct a 'social investigation' on the acceptance of the technology by the palm oil industry.

POME is a by-product of palm oil production and the current practice is negatively impacting the environment. While treatment of POME before dumping reduces its negative impact, it is still relatively inefficient, prompting for improvements on treatment of POME. One way is the conversion of raw POME into reusable biofuels and bio-compost.

The collaboration is expected to evaluate the possibility of using the microwave technique to convert POME into biodiesel and bio-compost. This may mark the beginning towards a sustainable palm oil industry.