Opportunities and challenges in utilizing palm kernel shell as renewable energy source in ceramic tile production.

Palm oil industry generates substantial amount of biomass, which of them is palm kernel shell (PKS) that can be utilized by industries, as a renewable energy source. The steady growth of palm oil industry warrants the long term availability of palm kernel shell, which opens up opportunities for the industrial sector to move away from fossil fuels while attempting to improve environmental performance. Prior to utilize PKS in the industrial scale, a series of technical, environmental, and economical feasibility studies needs to be carried out. In our factory, PKS has been used as a partial substitution of natural gas. Five stoves fueled with PKS each at capacity of about 65 ton/day are operated to supply hot gas for the spray drying of ceramic powder. From technical viewpoint, besides identifying thermophysical properties and quality parameters, thermal efficiency and drying performance have been selected as key determinants to prove palm kernel shell feasibility. Despite it is technically feasible, the supply reliability of palm kernel shell is still low. This study attempts to investigate supply characteristics of palm kernel shels and how those characterictics lead to supply uncertainties, as challenges that need to be overcome prior to realize the potential of palm kernel shell as an industrial fuel. Various factors, that impacting supply uncertainties were identified through field observations, in-depth interviews, and secondary data gathering based on a case study in the ceramic tile industry. Some recommendations have been made related to supply chain improvements along with enabling policies and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]