Electrocoagulation of palm oil mill effluent
Melissa B Agustin1, Waya P Sengpracha, Weerachai Phutdhawong
1Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Sansai, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|January 14, 2009
Summary
Electrocoagulation (EC) effectively treats palm oil mill effluent (POME) by reducing pollutants. Recovered compounds from POME showed moderate antioxidant activity, highlighting EC
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Palm oil mill effluent (POME) poses significant environmental challenges due to its high organic load and pollutant content.
- Conventional wastewater treatment methods often struggle with the complex composition of POME.
- Electrocoagulation (EC) is an emerging electrochemical technology with potential for effective wastewater remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of electrocoagulation (EC) for treating palm oil mill effluent (POME).
- To assess the removal of key pollutants including turbidity, acidity, COD, BOD, and heavy metals from POME using EC.
- To evaluate the antioxidant properties of compounds recovered from treated POME.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory-scale electrocoagulation (EC) experiments were conducted on POME samples.
- Aluminum electrodes and sodium chloride as a supporting electrolyte were utilized in the EC process.
- Pollutant levels (turbidity, acidity, COD, BOD, heavy metals) were measured before and after treatment.
- Phenolic compounds were analyzed, and recovered coagulated fractions were tested for antioxidant activity using the DPPH method.
Main Results:
- Electrocoagulation significantly reduced turbidity, acidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in POME.
- EC treatment led to the removal of heavy metals and phenolic compounds from the effluent.
- Recovered compounds from the coagulated fraction exhibited moderate antioxidant activity when analyzed by the DPPH method.
Conclusions:
- Electrocoagulation (EC) is a highly efficient method for the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME).
- EC not only remediates POME but also allows for the recovery of compounds with potential antioxidant applications.
- This study demonstrates the dual benefit of EC in wastewater treatment and resource recovery from POME.
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