Review on current approach for treatment of palm oil mill effluent: Integrated system. (15th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saad, Muhammad Syaamil; Wirzal, Mohd Dzul Hakim; Putra, Zulfan Adi
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 286(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15
• Subjects: Integrated system -- Palm oil mill effluent -- Wastewater -- Treatment; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Malaysia is one of the countries that is well known for its palm oil based products and exports all over the world. Over the years, palm oil mill has been rising at alarming rate in Malaysia, causing palm oil-based wastes to increase especially palm oil mill effluent (POME). POME in Malaysia are channelled into water bodies such as rivers after treated mostly with conventional biological method. However, with current technologies and knowledge, conventional POME treatments are seen to be outdated and require major improvements as greenhouse gaseous are emitted to the environment as well as being less cost effective. Integrated systems that combine two or more conventional methods are introduced and reviewed to provide insights on the advantages and disadvantages of the system if it is to be implemented in real life plant. Integrated systems that focus on combining conventional methods are compiled and reviewed specifically for POME treatment. Among the integrated methods that are reviewed includes biological with membrane, adsorption with magnetic field exposure, adsorption with membrane and electrocoagulation with membrane. The systems are seen to give excellent color, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) removal with average of higher than 90%. Reduction in space utilization, improved treatment time as well as simplified operating system were reported when integrated systems are applied as compared to conventional treatment of POME. Highlights: Palm oil mill effluent emission poses environmental problems as 90% of fruit are discarded as wastes. Conventional treatments limitations include long treatment time, costly and huge space consumption. Integrated systems combine conventional methods to incur more than 90% color, organic content and suspended solids removal. Reduction in space and cost consumption as compared to conventional methods.