Life cycle assessment (LCA) of electrically-enhanced POME filtration: Environmental impacts of conductive-membrane formulation and process operating parameters. (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ho, K.C.; Teoh, Y.X.; Teow, Y.H.; Mohammad, A.W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 277(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Palm oil mill effluent (POME) -- Life cycle assessment (LCA) -- Conductive membrane -- Electrically-enhanced filtration -- Environmental impacts; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: This study assessed the environmental impacts of the formulation of graphene oxide (GO)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) conductive membranes and of the process operating parameters of electrically-enhanced palm oil mill effluent (POME) filtration. Two different analyses approaches were employed, cradle-to-gate approach for conductive membrane production and gate-to-gate approach for the POME filtration process. The parameters in conductive-membrane formulation (e.g. the weight ratio of carbon nanomaterials, and concentration of GO/MWCNT nanohybrids) and process operating parameters (e.g. electric field strength and electricity operating mode) were investigated. The findings herein are twofold. Firstly, for the fabrication of GO/MWCNT conductive membranes, the best weight ratio of GO:MWCNTs was found to be 1:9, given its superior membrane electrical conductivity with lower environmental impacts by 8.51% compared to pristine MWCNTs. The most suitable concentration of carbon nanomaterials was found to be 5 wt%, given its lowest impacts on resource depletion, human health, and ecosystems. Secondly, for the electrically-enhanced POME filtration, the optimum process operating parameters were found to be the application of an electric field of 300 V/cm in the continuous mode, given its lower environmental impacts (22.99%–89.30%) secondary to its requirement of the least electricity to produce permeate. The present study has established not only the optimized conditions in membrane formulation but also the operating parameters of electrically-enhanced filtration; such findings enable the use of cleaner production and sustainable approach to minimize fouling for industrial applications, whilst maintaining excellent efficiency. Highlights: Assessed environmental impacts of the GO/MWCNTs conductive membranes treating POME. Assessed impacts of electric field strength and operating mode of electrically-enhanced filtration. Best weight ratio of GO:MWCNTs was 1:9, with lower total endpoint impacts by 8.51%. Best concentration of nanomaterials was 5 wt%, given its lowest total endpoint impacts (67.55 mPt). Continuous electric field (300 V/cm) gave lower endpoint impacts (22.99%–89.30%).