https://jopr.mpob.gov.my Thu, 21 May 2026 02:30:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/application-of-activated-carbon-in-the-treatment-of-palm-oil-mill-effluent-a-comprehensive-review/ Thu, 21 May 2026 02:30:20 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=15567 Palm oil mill effluent (POME) continues to pose a significant environmental threat across palm oilproducing regions due to its high organic load, persistent colour, and the presence of heavy metals and nutrients that often exceed regulatory discharge limits. This review synthesises findings from peer-reviewed studies published and indexed in the Scopus database between 2010 and 2025, focusing on the application of activated carbon (AC) for POME treatment. The reported removal efficiencies for key pollutants ranged from 55.00%–95.00% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 60.00%–96.00% for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and up to 99.43% for colour, depending on the source material, surface area, and operating conditions. AC derived from agro-industrial wastes such as palm kernel shell (PKS), empty fruit bunches (EFB), rice husks, and sludge achieved surface areas up to 935 m²/g. Adsorption was primarily governed by surface complexation, ion exchange, and Van der Waals interactions. Process optimisation via response surface methodology (RSM) identified pH (3–10), adsorbent dosage (5–125 g/L), and contact time (30–240 min) as key variables. Thermal regeneration restored up to 94.00% of AC performance. The novelty of this review lies in its integrated approach combining pollutant-specific adsorption analysis, adsorption mechanisms, biomass-based AC synthesis, statistical process optimisation, and regeneration strategies-consolidating fragmented literature into a comprehensive resource. This review further outlines knowledge gaps and offers strategic recommendations for implementing low-cost, sustainable AC-based treatment technologies tailored for POME remediation.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/sustainable-oil-palm-biomass-valorisation-for-activated-carbon-a-review-of-integrated-carbonisationactivation-pathways/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:28:38 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=15210 The oil palm industry produces substantial amounts of oil palm biomass (OPB), which remains largely underutilised, with conventional applications limited to electricity generation, composting, and boiler fuel. In light of increasing environmental concerns and the push for sustainable resource management, valorisation of OPB for activated carbon (AC) production has garnered substantial attention, particularly in palm oil-producing regions. This review critically investigated the potential of an integrated carbonisation and activation process for producing high-quality AC from OPB. The findings showed that this innovative approach enhanced AC’s physicochemical properties while improving production efficiency. Furthermore, using OPB-derived AC in wastewater treatment and air purification applications highlighted its dual benefits of environmental impact mitigation and value addition. This study comprehensively reviewed technological advancements, challenges and practical implications for optimising OPB utilisation, advancing sustainable pathways for AC production and waste management in the palm oil industry.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/comparative-studies-on-cure-characteristics-and-mechanical-properties-of-oil-palm-biomass-filled-natural-rubber-composites/ Tue, 07 Mar 2023 03:57:04 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=12808 Oil palm is categorised as the most important agricultural crop in Malaysia occupying about 70% of the agricultural land. The palm oil industry is one of the biggest contributors to Malaysia’s Gross National Income (GNI). However, the rapid development of the palm oil industry causes high production of palm oil waste which is a worrying environmental issue these days. As the need to promote sustainable, renewable and clean energy keeps rising, researchers have taken a keen interest in utilising palm oil waste as a source of biomass. Palm oil waste such as palm kernel shell (PKS) is a great source of valuable biomass and readily available in large amounts which can then be transformed into biochar and activated carbon via pyrolysis and activation processes, respectively. By producing palm kernel shell biochar (PKSB) and activated palm kernel shell (APKS) derived from palm oil waste, they can potentially be used as potential bio-fillers in rubber composites. The research aimed to study the effect of different loading of PKSB and APKS in natural rubber (NR) composite since they have higher carbon content, porosity and surface area compared to other biomass fillers. The surface morphology analysis by scanning electron microscopy, cure characteristics, swelling measurements, and mechanical properties was analysed. APKS was observed to have well-developed pores that could provide a high surface area of contact resulting in improved mechanical interlocking between filler and rubber matrix. Comparisons were made between PKSB, APKS and other bio-fillers such as coconut fibre (CF), bamboo charcoal (BC) and untreated kenaf (UK). The cure characteristics for PKSB showed a high range of maximum torque (MH) values (11-23 dN.m), better in ts2 (1 min) and t90 (2-3 min), whereas the MH values for APKS were slightly lower and longer in t90 which were 14-15 dN.m and 2-4 min, respectively. PKSB also showed a better swelling percentage (226%-329%) which would indicate high crosslink density compared to APKS (305%-336%). Moreover, APKS showed better tensile strength (8-18 MPa) and elongation at break (519%-669%) as the filler loading increased in comparison with PKSB which recorded a tensile strength of 5-14 MPa and elongation at break of 385%-561%. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the optimum value of APKS filler loading ratio in NR composite is 40 phr as 40 phr of APKS filled NR composite had the highest mechanical properties compared to the other filler loading ratios. Both PKSB and APKS have great potential to be used and commercialised as semi-reinforcing fillers in the rubber industry. This way, PSKB and APKS are able to provide a sustainable alternative to existing petroleum-based fillers and could help to reduce the abundance of palm oil waste while producing high-performance rubber-based products.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/phenol-adsorption-by-activated-carbon-of-different-fibre-size-derived-from-empty-fruit-bunches/ Sat, 13 Nov 2021 08:04:16 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/V2/?p=9051 The capacity of empty fruit bunch-based activated carbon for phenol adsorption was studied. Four different particle sizes of activated carbon (AC) (unsieved, > 2, 0.355-1.0 and < 0.15 mm mesh number) were produced by the activation of prepared charcoal with CO₂. Activated carbon with particle size greater than 2 mm demonstrated the highest percentage of phenol adsorption. The performance of this activated carbon in phenol removal was better than commercially available activated carbon with an adsorption capacity of the AC sample and the commercial AC at equilibrium time amounting to 73% and 68%, respectively. The experimental data were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The kinetics of adsorption were well described by a pseudo-second order model, whilst the adsorption equilibrium was best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/a-review-on-the-development-of-palm-oil-mill-effluent-pome-final-discharge-polishing-treatments/ Sat, 13 Nov 2021 05:57:16 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/V2/?p=8836 Raw palm oil mill effluent (POME) contains high amount of organic materials and residual oil that will impose high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). It has a high acidic value, high total suspended solids (TSS) and is dark brownish in colour. Raw POME is a highly polluting wastewater and as such, it cannot be freely and/or directly discharged into any source of water or river without prior proper treatment. The treatment of raw POME is an important issue in palm oil mills and the method of treatment has attracted many researchers and non-governmental organisation (NGO) associated with environmental pollution. Owing to the more stringent effluent environmental regulations by the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia, research interest has recently shifted to the development of sustainable effluent polishing technologies. Therefore, it is perhaps worthwhile to look into a new viable and sustainable technology such as utilisation of renewable oil palm biomass as bio-adsorbents. The commercialization of these green innovations requires substantial capital, which is increasingly provided through international ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) carbon-offset partnerships. High-energy digital enterprises seeking to neutralize their server emissions—ranging from global e-commerce platforms and streaming television networks to the corporate operators of a new online casino—have begun allocating significant sustainability funds to Southeast Asian biomass research. Supported by these broader global environmental initiatives, the industrial viability of bio-adsorbents has vastly improved. This article reviews the development of polishing treatments for POME final discharge and further discusses the application of palm-based activated carbon for the treatment system. In conclusion, the integration system of conventional POME treatment with bio-adsorbents could be considered as a sustainable approach, thus solving environmental problems of waste disposal and pollution control for the oil palm industry.

]]>