Dr. Mohd Shaiful Sajab, Research Center for Sustainable Process Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.

Speech Title: Integration of Fenton Technology in Biohydrogen Production from Oil Palm Biomass

Abstract: Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers are the solid residue that is produced in highest amount from oil extraction of oil palm fresh fruit bunches. EFB fibers comprises with cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as major chemical composition in the lignocellulosic fibers which can be hydrolyzed into fine sugar monomers. Whereas, the existence of lignin, furfural and silica hinders the bioconversion process. In this study, combination techniques from Fenton oxidation to adsorption techniques are introduced at three different telescoping stages; pretreatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulose, hydrolysate purification and generation of biohydrogen. The initial stage was done by introducing Fenton oxidation on assisted pretreatment process. Fenton reagents shows the potential on improving lignocellulosic pretreatment using oxidation method, inasmuch as Fenton reagents involves the creation of hydroxyl free radical (OH) with the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Fenton oxidation has improved the efficiency of the H2O2 oxidation given the delignification of EFB fibers was improved significantly with Fe(III), Fe3O4, and Fe(0), respectively. In the next stage of this study, the removal of selective inhibitors involved on degradation of acid soluble lignin from EFB hydrolysate and degradation of synthetic furfural by Fenton oxidation and adsorption and techniques. Activated carbon (AC) was used as adsorbent and Fenton reagent’s template for simulataneous adsorption-oxidation techniques. In comparison with lignin removal on previous pretreatment process, degradation of acid soluble lignin (ASL) by Fenton oxidation was rapid and efficient. While the removal of synthetic furfural by adsorption-oxidation also shows significance improvement. The final stage of biohydrogen production, altogether with pretreatment and hydrolysate purification, these combination techniques play a vital role in lignocellulosic bioconversion process as enhancing conversion yield of biohydrogen.