PowerPoint Presentation

Sustainable Approach Of Recycling Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Integrated Biofilm - Membrane Filtration System For Internal Plant Usage

Student Sajjad Khudhur Abbas

Supervisor Dr. Teow Yeit Haan

Co-supervisor Prof. Abdul Wahab bin Mohammad

Research Title

Final Presentation

By

Good Morning!

I introduce my self. My name is SAJJAD KHUDHUR, I am Master degree student chemical Engineering. Today, I am presentation the 3rd and the final presentation of my research which is titled as Sustainable approach ... My supervisor and co-supervisor are Dr. Teow Yeit Haan and Prof. Abdul Wahab Mohammad. Today, I am going to speak about Palm oil, Palm oil mill effluent, environmental impact, problem statement, zero waste energy, Integrated technology, tension factors, process setting, results, the decree, closer look on the product, and the conclusion.

1

In Malaysia, oil palm is a very significant crop. In the worldwide, the biggest palm oil exporter and producer is Indonesia and Malaysia is the 2nd exporter and producer. The production of crude palm oil (CPO) was increased significantly from 92,000 tonnes in year 1960 to 17.6 million tonnes in year 2009, The process to extract the palm oil needs massive and huge water quantity to sterilize the fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and clarify the extracted oil.

Palm Oil in Malaysia

SAJJAD K. A.

3rd Presentation

POME treatment

I start this presentation by small introduction about palm oil. Oil palm is very important and special crop in Malaysia. The biggest country in palm oil production and exporting is Indonesia , while Malaysia comes after.

At year 1960, Palm oil production was 92,000 ton/year, while palm oil production at year 2009 is 17.6 million ton.

Palm oil production process demands huge quantities of water for sterilizing the palm shell, and clarifying the oil.

2

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

95-96% of water

0.6-0.7% of oil

2-4% of suspended solids

POME highest sources

Clarifier sludge

hydro cyclone

sterilizer condensation

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

The 3rd slide is presenting palm oil mill effluent or known as POME (shortcut name). This liquid is involving 95 to 96 percent of water, 0.6 to 0.7 percent of oil, and 2 4 percent of suspended solids.

The question here, POME is coming from where? We can answer this question that this wastewater is coming from palm oil production industry, specifically from clarifier sludge, hydro cyclone, and sterilizer condensation.

3

Environmental impact

(Ma A. N., 2000) (Singh G. a., 1999)

The stocks of local fish in lakes and rivers are declining

Bathing and water sources turned into

brown colour

smelt foul

Fresh POME

Acidic Colloidal Suspension

Hot

Brownish

High Solids Amount (40,000 mg/l)

COD (50,000 mg/l)

BOD (25,000 mg/l)

ref

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POME treatment

There are several huge impacts of discharging Palm oil mill effluent. From the facts or the reports from the local citizens, they complained that their bathing and water sources had turned into brown colour and smelt foul. In addition, the fish amount are declining in different lakes and rivers.

The fresh POME has several properties, such as acidic, hot, brownish, high solid amount, and high range of COD and BOD. These information are got from (Singh at 1999).

4

Problem Statement

Briefly, the highly polluted wastewater is causing a severe pollution to the :

Waterways

Aquatic Habitats

Impacted Human Health

Affected Aquatic Life

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

After brief introduction about palm oil, the wastewater, and the environmental impacts. Now, we should understand what is the problem statement of POME discharging?

for that the problem statement is stating that this POME has severe effect on the waterways, aquatic habitats, human health, and aquatic life.

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Zero waste energy

POME Treatment system

Treated Water

Biogas

POME

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Sludge

Myth or Fact?

Zero waste energy is considered as the perfect system to treat pollutant material with no harmful side product. The shown system is considered as the best process for getting useful products with no harmful effect on the environment such as CO2 gas. Chemical Engineers speak and dealing with balance, as you can observe, the balance is achieved theoretically. Required process to treat POME, to produce biogas which can be use for energy purposes, the treated water which can be use for internal plant usage, and the sludge can be use as fertilizer.

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Available POME treatment techniques

Anaerobic contact process

Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)

Up-flow anaerobic sludge fixed film (UASFF)

Up flow anaerobic sludge blanked (UASB)

Fluidized bed

Anaerobic filtration

Conventional anaerobic digestion (Digester and pond)

Conventional anaerobic digestion (Digester and pond)

Aerobic

Evaporation

Anaerobic

Membrane

Biofilm

Biofilm bacteria (Biological Treatment) integrated with Membrane Technology is based on WHAT FACTORS ?

ANS:

COST EFFECTIVE

REQUIREMENTS

FLEXIBILITY

SIMPLICITY

CLOSED OR OPEN SYSTEM

N0TE: UPON our knowledge and research, There is no previous work had or have done on using integrated biofilm-Membrane.

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

Among several POME treatment process, such as biofilm, membrane, evaporation, fluidized bed, CSTR and etcetera. Biofilm techno and membrane treatment had chosen based on some factors like: Cost effective, requirements, flexibility, simplicity, and closed or open system. Upon this research, and what had found, there is no work had done on integrated (Biofilm-membrane) for treating POME.

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Biofilm technique integrated with Membrane

Membrane technique

Biofilm technique

Swimming

Attachment

EPS

Feeding

Decomposition

Treatment Process

Kind Cross flow

Filter Nano filter (NF)

Feed

Outlet

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

This slide is showing both biofilm and membrane treatment in details.

The biofilm bacteria starts swimming in the wastewater for getting suitable surface for their attachment. After finding the required surface, the attachment process starts. EPS material stands for extra cellular substance which is helping the biofilm bacteria to make well and tough equipping. Then the bacteria will search for food to improve their biofilm, and for growing. In case the bacteria haven't find enough food, it will decompose from the surface, moving to get another better spot. The process in the picture below the scheme.

For membrane treatment, Nano filter was the chosen filter type, and the technique is crossflow. These settings were recommended. As you can observe in the membrane process picture, the treated water is passing through the filter media while the untreated is pumped and recycled.

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Process Tension Factors

Membrane fouling

Biofilm Bacteria dead lack

SAJJAD K. A.

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Two things are stressing the process performance. They are Biofilm bacteria dead lack, and membrane fouling. The biofilm bacteria process is showed on your left hand, while the membrane fouling is showed on your right hand.

9

Process Setting

Biofilm technique

Membrane technique

Parameter Value Acclimatization duration Unknown Treating period Unknown Black media amount 328 pieces White media amount 126 pieces Raw POME volume 2 litres Raw POME COD6630 mg/lTemperature Ambient Parameter Value Pump pressure 3 barTemperature 24.1 CInlet POME COD 923 mg/lFilter Nano

SAJJAD K. A.

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Each process has known involves some settings and options. In the biofilm technique, the acclimatization duration was unknown (The decision was around one month). The treating period was unknown also (the decided period was 72 hours). The media amount is 328 pieces for the black, and 126 pieces for the hexafilter media. The used wastewater volume is two litres with 6630 mg/l of COD. Finally the used temperature is the ambient.

For membrane treatment, the pump pressure was 3 bar, the temperature was 24.1 C, inlet POME COD 923 mg/l, and the filter kind is Nano.

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Treatment scheme

SAJJAD K. A.

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This slide is highly importance because its involving the whole process scheme. The process starts with collecting the needed materials (wastewater from SimeDarby, Biofilm carrier, Treatment reactor). There are Two kind of biofilm media had been using (Hexafilter, Black). There are two treatment reactors, one had filled with hexafilter media while the other had filled with the black media. It had used two litres of POME for biofilm acclimatization stage. Several measurements were done such as DO, COD, TSS, MLSS, NH3-N, and pH level for nearly one month. The biofilm evolution had made during this duration. The next stage is treating POME by employing this biofilm bacteria. Fresh POME had added to the treatment reactor. Tests were done for each 24 Hours till three days. After treating POME by the biofilm bacteria, The membrane treatment should be after. Lastly, the final treatment had done on the wastewater. Thats the whole process scheme with details as I had explained already.

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Be confident By measuring Parameters !

DO

COD

TSS

MLSS

NH3-N

PH

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

Parameters are showing the treatment path, so Be confident by measuring parameters. In this POME treatment, DO, COD, TSS, MLSS, NH3-N, PH level had done for ensuring the process and the results quality.

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Results Slide

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Acclimatization Stage Hexafilter mediaTest\Day13579111315171921232527COD66303680 34403101290824212220220124002410240924302190.32215MLSS *10312.1015.109.80 6.503.903.303.002.703.233.663.072.453.263.12NH3-N 970350 3092872402272262001931211121099081Turb.374011086553251901331131101081521191107966

1

Acclimatization Stage Black mediaTest\Day13579111315171921232527COD66303550 334030102905290129002769263025102484245030103005MLSS *10312.1013.10 10.508.776.105.905.464.233.203.233.012.962.202.00NH3-N970 330 29526023321821017715389951027563Turb.374099884575559835729317511313089602015

All in mg/l, except Turbidity in NTU.

This slide is presenting the treatment results. This slide contains part one of the treatment which means the acclimatization process. The upper table is referring to the Hexafilter media, while the bottom is referring to the black media. COD, MLSS, NH3-N, and turbidity tests were made during this period. The biofilm evolution were made for 27 days. These results are showing that 15 days period is sufficient to reach the maximum growth for both kind of media by referring to the COD results, and regardless the other measurements because COD is the indication of biofilm bacteria activity and its growth. Its obvious that the treatment was very unstable after the fifteenth day. So that its quite better to go for 15 days of biofilm evolution.

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Results Slide

SAJJAD K. A.

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Biological Treatment Membrane RawPOMEHexafilter Black media NFUnitsTest24 hr48 hr72 hr24 hr48 hr72 hr-COD1450760 1130 850 690 910 1040 19 mg/lMLSS0.0060.0031 0.0025 0.0025 0.0035 0.0026 0.0032 0.0003 mg/lNH3-N10193 100 107 102 86 93 1.19mg/lpH8.0217.258 7.422 7.651 7.6547.973 7.855 6.473-TSS290140 420 405 340 470 410 0 mg/lDO2.031.88 2.49 2.71 2.38 1.79 2.57 4.44mg/lTurbidity87.9140 122 93 130 111 76 0.381 NTU

2

Hexafilter

Black media

Membrane

This slide is presenting the second part of the treatment results which are including the biological treatment and membrane treatment results. The biological treatment were settled for 72 hours for both kind of media. COD, MLSS, NH3-N, PH, TSS, DO, Turbidity, these measurements were made during these three days for each 24 hours which means it was made three times. Hexafilter had showed a great treatment and better than the black media. The biological results showed that the black media is slightly beyond the hexafilter efficiency. In addition, it seems the hexafilter had gave better performance and treatment, which means using hexafilter is giving good treatment with less time duration in comparing with the black carrier. Membrane had showed really great treatment to the used wastewater. Its great treatment in comparing to the biological one. By looking to the range of all the parameters with comparing it with the out product from the biological treatment, its obvious that using membrane technology is very important in this integrated system.

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Footage (Black Media)

SAJJAD K. A.

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Real footages are showed in this slide for the black media during the acclimatization process. On your left hand, the scheme starts with single black media. The 2nd column is showing the acclimatization at the 2nd day. The first picture in the third column is showing the acclimatization at the fifteenth day. The last picture is showing the acclimatization process after one month. This slide is showing the evolution of the biofilm bacteria.

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Footage (Black Media)

SAJJAD K. A.

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Like the previous slide, This slide is presenting some taken pictures during the acclimatization process with using the hexafilter media.

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Footages (Treated POME samples )

RAW POME

Distilled POME

H media

B media

Membrane Sample

The sample is following which standards?

StandardsRAW POMEDiluted POMEH media B media Membrane Sample12Slightly3Slightly4Slightly56Slightly Slightly7891011SlightlySlightlyNoDefinition 1NWQSFM CLASS I2NWQSFM CLASS IIA3NWQSFM CLASS IIB4NWQSFM CLASS III5NWQSFM CLASS IV6 NWQSFM CLASS VNoDefinition 7DOECLASS I8DOECLASS II9DOECLASS III 10DOECLASS IV 11DOECLASS V

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

This slide is presenting samples from all the treatment stages (raw POME, Diluted POME, Treated POME biologically, and treated POME by membrane).

After getting the treatment results, its quite important to know the treated wastewater is applicable to which standards!

On your right hand, A table is showing the treated POME from different stages with its suitability for different standards. Below this table, A definition table for these standards, for example number one stands for NWQSFM ( National water quality standards for Malaysia) CLASS 1.

The determination had made depending on these standards. Raw POME is obeying non at all of the standards, as well as the diluted. The treated POME by hexafilter is obeying standards number 6 and 11 which its class V or the fifth class but its slightly higher (considered as ERROR). The treated POME by black media is obeying the same standards as hexafilter had obeyed with the same conditions. The discharged wastewater from Nano filter membrane is following standards number 2, 3, and 4 with slight different, while its following standards 5, and 8 exactly with no difference.

17

Results Closer LOOK

Biofilm bacteria treatment is complicated since the treatment is wobbling

Membrane is so easy to be blocked

This integrated system wont give product with certain properties

This integrated system needs Control system

Its possible and better to use low level membrane like macro but the treated wastewater wont be same quality as the Nano.

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

This section is presenting A closer look on the treatment results. First of all, This closer look had came out that this biological treatment had wobbled and its complicated, so that its requiring more measurements and more settings. Second, this integrated system needs more control, to give certain product.

Third, Using membrane with high range COD POME will block the membrane filter in small duration. Fourth, Control system should be involved. Fifth and lastly, with high range polluted wastewater, its better to use low level membrane such as macro but we should keep in mind, the treated wastewater wont be same quality as using nano.

18

CONCLUSION

surface area

crimpy surface

narrow corners

Mixing

Moisture

NF membrane

SAJJAD K. A.

3rd Presentation

POME treatment

Now, it is the conclusion section. Starting with the surface area, the biological treatment effort is following the surface area of the media. Its not the only one, but its one of the highest effect on the treatment performance. The waved biofilm media surface has great effect on the bacteria attachment level. The more surface has waves the more bacteria attachment strength increased. Narrow corners are highly needed to protect the bacteria from the aeration. Mixing is not useful at all for this biological system because its leading to biofilm aeration. Moisture is highly demanded by the bacteria. During the acclimatization and the treatment, It was noticed the biofilm bacteria is providing some moisture at the top of the surface, in order to deviate and manipulate the treatment conditions to the demanded by the biofilm bacteria. Finally, Nano filtration cross flow membrane had showed great treatment to the wastewater.

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Future studies, endorsing and recommendations

SAJJAD K. A.

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Series reactors

Sedimentation system

Catalyst

Fixed temperature

Deep reactor for biofilm growth stage

Short depth reactor for POME treatment stage

Closed system

Treatment age not longer than 24 hours

Using media with high surface area

Endorsements

For future studies, some endorsing and recommendations were made to improve this integrated system for getting high quality treated wastewater. Briefly, the recommendations are using: 1-series reactors, 2-deep reactor for biofilm growth stage, 3-media with high surface area, 4-treatment age shouldnt be longer than 24 hours because the first 24 hours including the peak time, 5-closed system, 6- catalyst, 7- fixed temperature, 8- short depth reactor for POME treatment stage, 8- sedimentation system.

20

The Decree

From Standards side

As a Scientist !

Strongly

Definitely

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

This slide is presenting the decree section which means the final decision. From the standards look, this integrated system is giving treated wastewater following some of the standards, so that its strongly approved, Definitely there is no issue with the applicable standards, But As a scientist look, its definitely rejected because this treated water should placed in comparison with the ideal water properties for producing the highest quality water. Otherwise, this treated wastewater will lead to global issues for example damaging watercourses.

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Global Warming

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

Temperature rising

rising sea level

Floods

Heat waves

Extinctions of animals and plants

Desertification

I want to link this research with the global warming since wastewater is one of the factors which is raising global warming. In case of continued discharging of wastewater without comparing to the ideal water, Unfortunally, several severe global issues will develop such as: floods, extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, temperature rising, rising sea level, and desertification.

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Q & A

SAJJAD K. A.

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Now, we move to the Questions and answers session. Please, You may ask.

23

Thank You

SAJJAD K. A.

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POME treatment

Thank you for your listening and attention.

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POME sample from Sime DarbyEast MillBiofilm CarrierPOME treatment Container( TANK )POME container contains Biofilm carrierPOME container contains 1 liter aerobic POME , 1 liter Concentrated POME ,andBiofilm Carrier after 1 monthZoom in on the biofilm CarrierZoom in Zoom in Using the Biofilm to Treat POMEM-After Three daysPOME container contains 1 liter Aerobic POME , 1 liter Concentrated POME and Biofilm Carrier Daily MeasurementCOD TSS PHMLSSTSNH3.NTurbidityDaily MeasurementCOD ,TSS ,PH,MLSS,TS,NH3.N,Turbidity.POME container contains 2 liters aerobic POME and Biofilm Carrier Membrane processTreated POMEPOME Media (Black and Hexafilter)

Black MediaBiofilm carriers at the 2nd day of the bacteria growth stage Bacteria growth after 15 days at the media surfaceBacteria growth after one month at the media surfaceFootages from different sections

Hexafilter Media Biofilm carriers at the 2nd day of the bacteria growth stage Bacteria growth after 15 days at the media surfaceBacteria growth after one month at the media surfaceFootages from different sections

Hexafilter MediaBiofilm carriers at the 2nd day of the bacteria growth stageBacteria growth after 15 days at the media surfaceBacteria growth after one month at the media surfaceFootages from different sections