The role of membrane technology in palm oil mill effluent (POME) decontamination: Current trends and future prospects

This article reviews the role of membrane systems in treating palm oil mill effluent (POME), a waste generated by the palm industry. The review focuses on various membrane systems such as microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO), highlighting their effectiveness in removing pollutants and recovering water. Special attention is given to hybrid systems integrating membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and other advanced processes to enhance fouling control, improve water quality, and promote sustainability. Several case studies and quantitative data have demonstrated the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and biological oxygen demand (BOD), illustrating the impact of these technologies. This comprehensive review also explores recent advancements, such as the integration of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) processes, providing insights into the benefits and challenges of membrane technology for POME treatment. This article aims to inform future research and guide industrial applications toward more sustainable and efficient wastewater management in the palm oil industry.