Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Mesocarp
Endocarp
(shell)
Kernel
FIGure 17.5 (see color insert)
Typical Malaysian palm fruits.
FIGure 17.6 (see color insert)
Fresh fruit bunches.
replanting. Most of the pruned fronds will be used back in the field as mulch to maintain the fertility
of soil. During the processing of FFB in the palm oil mill, the core products are palm oil and palm
kernel. Useful co-products include empty fruit bunches (EFB; stalks no longer containing fruit)
(Figure 17.7), fibers, shells and palm oil mill effluents (POME).
17.5 avaIlaBIlIty oF trunks and Fronds
Approximately 115 kg of dry fronds per palm tree are obtained during replanting (Chan et al. 1980).
Chan reported that 75.4 tons of trunks and 14.5 tons of fronds (each dry weight) are obtained while
replanting each hectare of oil palm. However, these figures are based on planting densities common
in the 1980s (126 oil palm trees/ha), which is only 85-93% of the current recommended densities
