This project investigated the feasibility of producing ethanol by fermentation using the pulp produced as a by-product in the utilisation of the trunks of culled oil palm trees as a source of fibre for production of various wood-sparing building materials (composites, cement-based board, insulating board, etc.). This pulp, produced as a by-product that could cause environmental problems due to its high biological oxygen demand, was found to contain significant content of starch. This starch could be separated, hydrolysed and fermented using known technology. This route to ethanol was found preferable to an alternative, as yet unproved, route starting with acid or enzyme hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic fibre. The possibility of using the ethanol produced as an alternative feedstock to methanol used in an existing plant producing MTBE for use in unleaded petrol was evaluated. The viability of the concept was considered in terms of the economics, energy balance and carbon dioxide emission sparing effect. The contents of the study included:

Role of project in relation to global warming and the GEF fund

Climate change

Biological diversity

Context

Economic overview

Environmental overview

Project description
Project implementation
Rationale for GEF support
Incremental costs and benefits
Cost-effectiveness
Socio-economic impacts
Technical background

Lignocellulose hydrolysis

Acid hydrolysis

Biological conversion

Fermentation

Separation

Costs and benefits

Incremental cost calculations

Carbon dioxide sparing effect

• Energy analysis
• Energy ratios
• Carbon balance
• Carbon sequestration
• Greenhouse gas emissions

Properties of gasoline additives

Alcohols

Ethers

Environmental overview

Environmental issues

Environmental management

Environmental objectives

Operational strategy

Monitoring

Project analysis

Consistency with GEF principles

Potential benefits

Scientific and technical base