Feasibility of Bio-Coal Production from Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) Technology Using Food Waste in Malaysia

Ajit Singh, Andrew Gill, David Lian Keong Lim, Agustina Kasmaruddin, Taghi Miri, Anita Chakrabarty, Hui Hui Chai, Anurita Selvarajoo, Festo Massawe, Yousif Abdalla Abakr, Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva, Wendy Pei Qin Ng, Olga Serifi, Claudia Mackenzie, Mardawani Mohamad, Hooi-Siang Kang, Pei Sean Goh, Jun Wei Lim and Yi Jing Chan
Additional contact information
Ajit Singh: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Andrew Gill: Coal Products Ltd. (CPL Industries), Sheffield S21 1TZ, UK
David Lian Keong Lim: Eureka Synergy Sdn Bhd, Seremban 70300, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Agustina Kasmaruddin: Organic Waste Unit, SWCorp, Cyberjaya 63000, Selangor, Malaysia
Taghi Miri: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Anita Chakrabarty: Nottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Hui Hui Chai: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Anurita Selvarajoo: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Festo Massawe: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Yousif Abdalla Abakr: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva: School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
Wendy Pei Qin Ng: Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Programme Area, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1410, Brunei
Olga Serifi: KPAD Ltd., London N21 3 NA, UK
Claudia Mackenzie: Research & Development, Coal Products Ltd. (CPL Industries), Immingham DN40 2NX, UK
Mardawani Mohamad: Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Jeli Campus, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli 17600, Kelantan, Malaysia
Hooi-Siang Kang: Marine Technology Center, Institute for Vehicle System & Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Pei Sean Goh: Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Jun Wei Lim: Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Yi Jing Chan: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: The alarming rise of food waste all over the world due to population and economic growth must be tackled with better waste management and treatment methods. The current practice of landfilling has been scientifically proven to adversely impact environmental and societal health. A relatively new technology called hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has the potential to solve this problem. It takes in high-moisture-content material, like food waste, and converts it into bio-coal with a heating value similar to normal coal. The present study explored the feasibility of HTC technology and bio-coal production in Malaysia. An in-depth study via desk research was conducted by implementing Porter’s five forces analysis to evaluate the feasibility of the bio-coal production project. A survey involving 215 respondents from different households that represent the average demography of Malaysia was also conducted to understand the behaviors and attitudes of different households towards food waste. The present study found that a typical Malaysian household disposes mostly of meal leftovers, with an average of 926 g of food waste per day. In addition, the 3 highest food categories that were disposed of were rice or noodles or pasta (13.0%), vegetables (12.2%) and curry and soup (10.1%). Meal leftovers such as curry and soup are high in moisture content, which is suitable for HTC. The survey on household waste provided adequate information to support the availability of a sufficient quantity of food waste in the country to sustain the raw material for the bio-coal project in Malaysia. Furthermore, a consumer survey involving seven industrial firms was conducted to determine the potential buyers of bio-coal. The responses from the industrial firms show that a bio-alternative for coal is important, and they are willing to transition to greener technologies. However, five out of seven firms stated that the main hurdle in adopting bio-coal is the high cost of production and incompatibility with existing industrial processes. Finally, interviews were conducted with key players in the industry to evaluate the adoptability of bio-coal into the wider market. The findings from the desk research and the primary research show that the outlook for bio-coal in the market is quite positive. In the long run, HTC is certainly profitable, but for immediate benefits, adequate government support and policy in favour of the use of HTC bio-coal in power plants are required.

Keywords: HTC; food waste; bio-coal; market feasibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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