Kinetic study on biocomposting empty fruit bunch

Abstract

Empty fruit bunches (EFB) is a by-product of palm oil mills. As the world's leading exporter of palm oil products, Malaysia generates a high number of EFB per year. Conventional treatment for EFB requires a large area and the burning of EFB releases a very high amount of carbon monoxide. To create a concept of zero waste from palm oil mills, biocomposing of EFB is better for its low cost and likely to generate income. In this study, the process conditions that affect the biocomposting process are determined and the process kinetic in biocomposting of EFB is examined. This study is examines the process kinetics by experimenting with laboratory-scale equipment under controlled biocomposting conditions to show the interdependence between biological and physical factors during the biocomposting of EFB. The effects of temperature (16, 30 and 60 ° C), humidity (40, 60 and 80 %), particle size (<5 mm, 5- 10 mm and> 10 mm) and the ratio of CN (40, 55 and 70) on the biocompost were evaluated. As a result, in order to achieve optimal process performance, process conditions must be controlled carefully. It has also been found that the degradation of organic matter during the process of biocomposting EFB follow first-order kinetic model with a kinetic rate of 0.0012 to 0.0025 day-1.