JABAR EKSPRES – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with universities and partner companies is researching the utilization of liquid waste produced by palm oil mills as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source.
BRIN’s Process and Manufacturing Industry Technology Research Center and Energy and Manufacturing Research Organization are collaborating with the Bandung Institute of Technology, PT Perkebunan Nusantara V, Riau University, and PT Aimtopindo Nuansa Kimia to research the use of a prototype demo unit for refining biogas into biomethane at the Terantam biogas plant in Kampar Regency, Riau Province.
“We have reached an agreement to conduct joint research on the utilization of Palm Oil Mills Effluent (POME),” Head of BRIN’s Transportation Technology Research Center Aam Muharam said in a BRIN press release quoted by Jabar Ekspres, Friday (6/9).
He said that the research collaboration involving palm oil companies, universities, research and innovation institutions, and the private sector was expected to produce innovations in the utilization of POME as a renewable energy source.
“Our ultimate goal is to create sustainable and efficient solutions that can benefit the Indonesian people,” he said.
Aam said that liquid waste produced by palm oil mills is one of the potential sources that can be utilized as renewable energy.
Currently, biogas development technology projects from palm oil waste that have been implemented at the pilot plant scale include the development of a 1 MW Biogas Power Plant (PLTBg) by PT Perkebunan Nusantara V.
In addition, there is a cofiring boiler with CSTR technology with an average capacity of 150 Nm3 / hour and purification of biogas into biomethane with a purity of 95 to 98 percent and bioCNG with a pressure of 200 bar.
“Hopefully, the biogas power plant can be utilized more widely. This technology has been tested as fuel for trucks. This technology is very much needed by Indonesia,” said Head of BRIN’s Process and Manufacturing Industry Technology Research Center Hens Saputra.
