Reclamation from palm oil mill effluent using an integrated zero discharge membrane-based process

Abstract

This research emphasizes eloquently on membrane technology for treatment of palm oil mill effl uent (POME) as it is the Malaysia's largest and most important agro based industry. Findings established signifi cant quality improvement with an effi cient recovery of water from palm oil mill via innovative membrane application. Conventional bio-methods, whilst adhering to the Department of Environment's (DOE) discharge regulations, produces brownish liquid which pales in comparison to the crystal clear water obtained through membrane treatment. The pre-treatment process consists of coagulation-fl occulation using green environmental coagulant bases such as Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds. The ultrafi ltration polyvinylidene difl uoride (PVDF) and thin fi lm composite (TFC) reverse osmosis were vital for the membrane processes. The system gave 99% suspended solids reduction in suspended solid and 78% of water present was successfully recovered. This technology guarantees water recovery with drinking water quality; meeting the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard or could be recycled into the plant with sludge utilization for palm oil estates, thus enabling the concept of zero discharge to be executed in the industries. In addition, green and healthy antioxidants such as oil and beta-carotene can be recovered from POME further demonstrate. Silica gel showed better performance in separation of carotenes from oil at temperature 40°C using adsorption chromatography with 1154.55 ppm. The attractiveness of this technology, enabling the utilization of reuse of agricultural waste into potentially value added products.

Utilization of moringa oleifera and nanofiltration membrane to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME)

“…Higher chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand values can be attributed to high residual oil and organic content. The similar higher values of biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand, pH, oil & grease, and total suspended solids for palm oil mill effluent were 25,000 mg/L, 50,000 mg/L, 4.7, 4,000, 18,000 mg/ L, respectively [23]. Moreover, the palm oil mill effluent obtained from Labu, Negeri Sembilan, also noted similar higher values of biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand (i. e., 25,000 mg/L and 53,630 mg/L).…”

Adsorption and coagulation in wastewater treatment – Review

“…Jagaba et al (2020) observed that the use of M. oleifera as a natural coagulant to compare with a chemical coagulant. The result shows the optimum dosage of M. oleifera obtained 2,000 mg L À1 for removing turbidity, oil & grease, TSS, COD, Color, and NH 3 -N. Ahmad et al (2015) reported the pre-treatment for POME using M. oleifera and chitosan as a natural coagulant combined with the integrated membrane. The result shows the percentage of recovery for turbidity value 20 NTU at 78%.…”

Water Reclamation and Reuse

“…RO was cited as a key technology in the growth of water desalination and reclamation, with other membrane processes expanding in support and niche areas. Ahmad et al (2015) used membrane technology to treat palm oil mill effluent (POME) and water recovery from a palm oil mill. They found that utilization of agricultural waste into potentially value added products could be enabled via innovative membrane application.…”