Development of laboratory scale of palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment plant by using Elaeis Guineensis biosorbent

• Main Author: Nurul Atikah, Adinnin
• Format: Undergraduates Project Papers
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/13464/1/FTECH%20-%20NURUL%20ATIKAH%20ADINNIN.PDF; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/13464/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Pahang

This thesis discussed on the application of new biosorbent as an alternative to treat the palm oil mill effluent. Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) has a very high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), which is 100 times more than the municipal sewage. Currently, palm oil industries are facing tremendous challenges to meet the increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Hence, this study aims to help reducing the amount of potentially harmful compounds in Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) using Elaeis Guineensis biosorbent before being discharged. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used for identification of chemical properties of the Elaies Guineensis biosorbent. A laboratory scale plant prototype is developed to determine its ability to treat the palm oil mill effluent and operated at fixed condition as being studied by Aziela L. et al. Three times run of POME treatment were set at fixed contact time (25 minutes), pH of effluent (pH 2), mass of biosorbent (1.0 g), volume of effluent (1L) and feeding rate (200 rpm). The Elaies Guineensis biosorbent is used as the media for the reactor. The treatment prototype plant performance was studied by observing the wastewater parameters namely Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and the color of POME. FT-IR spectra analysis shows the chemical properties of Elaeis Guineensis biosorbent to be from the carboxylic acids (carboxyl, hydroxyl), alkanes (alkyl), amides (carboxamide), nitro compounds, amines, esters and halides group. The mean influent concentration of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were 103.0 mg/L and 2805.0 mg/L respectively. After treatment, the percentage of removal for BOD is ranged between 68% - 75%. Meanwhile, the percentage removal range varied from 8 % - 25 % was attained for COD. The color removal stood at range of 64% - 78%. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that Elaies Guineensis biosorbent can be used as an alternative and environmentally friendly way to treat Biochemical Oxygen Demand and for color removal of POME.