Treating Palm Oil Mill Effluent by Activated Sludge Process Using Submerged Mechanical Aerator/Agitator Replacing Surface Aerator

Abstract

Activated sludge process (ASP) is gaining recognition as a process technique for the control of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in palm oil mill effluent (POME). Surface aerators or diffusing plates are often used in aeration tanks serving as core of the ASP. For consistent improvement in water quality within the aeration tank utilising the ASP and in particular, mitigating its BOD effluent stream, this study replaced the surface aerator with submerged mechanical aerator/agitator incorporating separate “agitation function” and “agitation diffusing function” intended for use in aeration tank of polishing plant that contains surface aerators. In order to confirm the activated state of the sludge in the aeration tanks, sludge was observed by microscopy (magnification 600 ´ or lower). The water analysis, POME, BOD, ammonium, and total nitrogen were analsyed. As a result of the study, improvement in water quality criteria including the agitation state in the aeration tank, mixed liquid dissolved oxygen, and BOD were observed. The BOD has improved from 34.7% to 93.1% at a maximum removal rate.

Penurunan BOD, TSS, minyak dan lemak pada limbah cair pabrik kelapa sawit menggunakan proses aerasi plat berlubang

“…Hawari et al (2019) mengontrol kebutuhan oksigen (BOD) dalam limbah cair pabrik kelapa sawit (LCPKS) menggunakan kolom aerator plat berlubang yang diisi dengan lumpur aktif sebagai inti aeration system process (ASP). Untuk meningkatkan kualitas LCPKS dalam tangki aerasi terutama untuk, mengurangi kandungan BOD, penelitian ini menggunakan aerator/agitator mekanis yang Penurunan BOD, TSS, Minyak dan Lemak pada Limbah Cair Pabrik Kelapa Sawit Menggunakan Proses Aerasi Plat Berlubang menggabungkan proses agitasi dan difusi agitasi.…”