Publication: ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF BIODIESEL DERIVED FROM NON-EDIBLE CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM AS ALTERNATIVE GREEN FUEL FOR POWER GENERATION
Date
2021-08
Authors
SHARMINI A/P VIJAYAN
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Abstract
Energy use and economic development of a country is positively correlated since the
industrial revolution. Continuous growth for energy demand to achieve greater
development of a nation especially in developing countries continuously increase fossil
fuel consumption. The burning of fossil fuel has contributed significantly to increase of
carbon dioxide emission urging researchers to find sustainable fuel in power generation
industry. One of the most promising alternative fuel is biodiesel, a sustainable source
of energy to reduce carbon footprint due to its renewable, non-toxic and
environmentally friendly nature based on various studies. This research aims to
evaluate the tecno-economic feasibility of calophyllum innophyllum which is also know
as Tamanu in Southeast Asia in comparison with palm biodiesel in power generation
sector in replacing diesel/distillate used in power generation in Malaysia. Furthermore,
this study attempts to identify the impact of biodiesel implementation towards the
energy scenario, environmental and economy. A techno-economic assessment for
biodiesel production is studied based on design process from feedstock acquisition until
biodiesel consumption. Several factors such as payback period, sensitivity analysis,
subsidy and taxation scenarios are analysed. Furthermore, the potential impact of
biodiesel emissions to the environment is also explored. The results demonstrated that
biodiesel application in power generation is feasible although constant low price of
fossil fuel is still a barricade for the successful implementation of biodiesel on a wide
scale. The largest economic factor that determines biodiesel production cost is
feedstock price which constitutes 63.4%. Overall, palm biodiesel has lower production
cost, around $0.715/L compared to calophyllum innophyllum with production cost of
$0.887/L. Payback period of calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel is 4.35 years with return
on investment of 8.2% while palm biodiesel has payback period of 5.39 years with
return on investment of 7.5%. Based environmental assessment, calophyllum
innophyllum is preferred to be utilized as biofuel in power generation as it contains the
most carbon and energy saving feedstock which is 77 753 kton carbon dioxide (CO2),
produces high yield oil approximately 4.21% higher than palm oil, while being the most
promising non-edible oil compared to the other seed oil. Besides, 77 752 kton of carbon
can be saved in the course of 15 years and 77 636 kton can be saved by utilising palm
biodiesel in power generation.In conclusion, this study serves as a guideline to provide
utility providers to assess the potential of implementing biodiesel in power generation
system for a greener Malaysia.