Technical and Economic Aspects of Oil Producing Plants

This chapter discusses biodiesel production's technological and economic aspects from palm oil and Jatropha curcas oil, bioethanol from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB), and biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME). Technically, the biodiesel production from crude palm oil (CPO) is sufficient through a transesterification reaction of free fatty acid, while the production of biodiesel from crude J. curcas oil (CJCO) running through esterification and transesterification. Biodiesel production from CPO is more economically feasible compared to CJCO due to its higher productivity. OPEFB is the most potential raw material for bioethanol in Indonesia and Malaysia due to its abundant availability and low economic value. Pretreatment technologies are still challenging in terms of economic and environmental aspects. The enormous production of palm oil discharges large volumes of POME. The construction of power plants from POME-based biogas is economically feasible but less attractive for investment. Carbon dioxide separation technology plays an enormous role in determining economic viability. Converting biogas to electrical energy makes biogas distributable.