Comparative study on palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment by electro-oxidation using catalyst and electrode

• Main Authors: Hussein, Nur Farah Mohamed, Abidin, Che Zulzikrami Azner, Ridwan, Fahmi Muhammad, Sabri, Siti Nasuha, Razali, Nur Aqilah
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Biodegradation; Catalysis; Catalysts; Color; Comparative studies; Contaminants; Effluents; Electrodes; Nutrients; Oxidation; Palm oil; Solid suspensions; Turbidity; Vegetable oils
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/1.5126553

The increasing demand of palm oil in the industry has subsequently led to the increasement of waste generated from the extraction of palm oil, mainly palm oil mill effluent (POME). The challenging problem faced by researchers is the post treatment means to treat and degrade contaminants of the effluent to comply the standard discharge limit as a large amount of effluent is generated from the multi-stage of palm oil production. Hence, the aim of this study is to propose such method that treats POME by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) using Electro-Oxidation technology. The study contains two phases where electro-oxidation is implemented by catalyst and electrode to determine the most effective condition for the removal of the parameters such as COD, colour, NH3−N, turbidity and suspended solid. The experimental conditions are pH adjustments of pH 3, pH 7, pH 9 and the contact time ranging from 0 minutes to 120 minutes. The degradation of high content of organics and nutrients of POME was at the highest under the acidic condition pH3 and the longest contact time 120 minutes with the removal efficiency of 81.90 % COD, 91.00% colour, 95.20% SS, 75.20% NH3−N and 95.40% turbidity. Increased contact time and dosage of catalyst has proven to enhance the biodegradation of organics. Hence, electro-oxidation is suggested as an applicable means to treat the biologically treated POME.