Obtaining a new source of biofuel from olive mill wastewater using solar energy

Abstract

This work is aimed to evaluate the applicability of solid portion of olive mill wastewater (OMW) for its utility as a renewable biofuel. A solar still unit was used to separate the solid residual from the liquid part of OMW. Three triplicate samples of solid residue were collected and tested for their calorific value, proximate analysis, and elemental analysis. The average calorific values obtained based on oxygen bomb calorimeter were 24 ± 0.65 kJ/g which agreed well with that obtained from elemental analysis (23 ± 1.3 kJ/g). This value is higher than that of refuse-derived fuel and lower than that of oil or natural gas but close to that of coal. Results of proximate analysis indicate a high combustible portion (83%) of OMW-Biofuel. The total amount of energy that can be produced from OMW-Biofuel in Jordan, expressed in terms of oil equivalent, accounts for \1.0% of the total imported oil by Jordan in 2014 and, if utilized, would result in annual savings of about US$ 17 million. These results suggest that the OMW-Biofuel can be applicable as a potential fuel.

The application of solar distillation technique as a mean for olive mill wastewater management

“…These results suggest that the solid residue separated from OMW can be used as a new source of biofuel. Detailed investigations on the applicability of solid residue separated from the OMW as a potential biofuel were presented in a separate paper (Gharaibeh & Jaradat ).…”

Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity of Condensate Produced From Olive Mill Wastewater Using Solar Energy in Mice

“…Olive oil extraction is associated with various environmental impacts including high levels of water and energy consumption, discharging of olive mill wastewater (OMW) and pomace (solid by-product) in addition to other environmental emissions such as noise and air pollution [2]. One of the challenges of the olive oil industry is the discharge of large volumes of the olive mill wastewater OMW [3]. The composition and organic load of the OMW are governed by the vegetation water of the olives, efficiency of the OMW in separating the oil from the OMW and storage time of the olives before processing.…”

“…There are about 17 million olive trees in Jordan and more than 95% of the Jordanian olive production is used for the production of olive oil. Recently, more than 110 three-phase olive mills were reported in Jordan with more than140 production lines [3]. The yearly discharge of OMW was reported to be more than 400 000 m 3 via lagooning and the trend is increasing in Jordan [3].…”

“…Recently, more than 110 three-phase olive mills were reported in Jordan with more than140 production lines [3]. The yearly discharge of OMW was reported to be more than 400 000 m 3 via lagooning and the trend is increasing in Jordan [3]. Lagooning, anaerobic digestion, co-composting with pomace, irrigation, bentonite treatment and other methods were used for OMW treatment/disposal, but without finding the ultimate solution that is technically acceptable, economically feasible and meets all environmental demands.…”

“…OMW was recently separated into condensate and biofuel using solar still units [3]. The biofuel was evaluated [3], while the condensate still needs further studies. It is important to investigate the toxicity of olive condensate in laboratory animals.…”