Emission factor establishment for palm oil mill boiler

Abstract

A study to establish the total particulate emission factor (EFs) from boiler of a palm oil mill plant equipped with a multi-cyclones particulate arrestor was performed and reported in this research. The mill employs a 500 kg steam/ h capacity of water-tube typed boiler and processes 60 tonnes per hour of fresh fruit bunch (FFB). The samples of the dust were collected iso-kinetically using the USEPA method 17 sampling train through a sampling port located after a multidust cyclone unit. Results showed that the total dust generated from the boiler is 62.15 g/s and the calculated total dust emission factor based on the boiler capacity is 7.46 g/kg. Poor combustion process is among the main factor that leads to the high particulate emission. EFs data allows for early prediction of pollutants emission, which subsequently will assist in determining the degree of control and the air pollution control system needed, besides evaluating the effectiveness of the existing pollution control strategies. The establishment of EFs for palm oil mills will definitely bring benefits for a better management of health and safety risks in palm oil mills, now and in the future.