Reduction of POME final discharge residual using activated bioadsorbent from oil palm kernel shell

A double insulated carbonisation-activation reactor was developed in order to produce activated carbon with high yield and surface area. This reactor was double insulated using low cement castable and covered around the internal space of the reactor with stainless steel plated and fibre glass jacketed heat insulation layer, which allow efficient heat transfer into the bed of material in the reactor. The carbonisation of oil palm kernel shell (OPKS) at 400 °C, followed by steam activation at 500–1000 °C continuously in the same reactor, with steam flow rate of 12.80–18.17 L/min had improved the activated carbon surface area from 305 ± 10.2 m2/g to 935 ± 36.7 m2/g and gave a high yield of 30% within 7 h retention time with a low gaseous emission. The activated carbon produced was successfully applied as bioadsorbent for the treatment of POME final discharge with the reduction of TSS, COD, colour and BOD up to 90%, 68%, 97% and 83%, respectively which met the standard set by Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE)

Production of a bioadsorbent from oil palm kernel shell, and application for pollutants and colour removal in palm oil mill effluent final discharge

In an effort to mitigate the palm oil mill effluent (POME) final discharge to the river water, palm kernel shell activated carbon has been identified as a promising adsorption technique for enhanced removal of pollutants (Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solid) and colour from the wastewater treatment plant. The bioadsorbent was prepared by carbonize at 400°C using two-in-one carbonization and activation system and further steam activate at 900°C with a total process time of 7 hours. The adsorption capacity was evaluated at different bioadsorbent dosage, treatment time, and initial concentration of pollutants and colour. The bioadsorbent showed the maximum removal of pollutants with a bioadsorbent dosage of 40 g/L at treatment time of 12 hours. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the treatment image of bioadsorbent was filled with impurities and elements of POME final discharge. This demonstrated that palm kernel shell activated carbon is a potential bioadsorbent for pollutants and colour removal in POME final discharge

Microwave-assisted pre-carbonisation of palm kernel shell produced charcoal with high heating value and low gaseous emission

Production of charcoal with a high higher heating value (HHV) while maintaining low gaseous emission requires high energy input and complicated methods. This paper presents a study of the production of charcoal with high HHV and low gaseous emission from palm kernel shell (PKS) within a microwave-assisted pre-carbonisation system. The maximum temperature was 300 °C, and three magnetrons were employed to assist with the pre-carbonisation process. The magnetrons were programmed to automatically shut down when the temperature reached 250 °C. Carbonisation took place when the PKS was combusted and the resulting heat was used to sustain the carbonisation. The gaseous emission was passed through a condensation unit and a scrubber system connected to the microwave reactor. Untreated PKS biomass with particle size of 6–15 mm was used in this study. A high HHV of 27.63 MJ/kg was obtained. The concentrations for the particulate matter with a size of 10 μm and below (PM10), CO, NO2, SO2 and HCl were below the standard limits set by the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Standards (2014). Therefore, the microwave-assisted pre-carbonisation technology proposed in this study produced charcoal with high HHV and low gaseous emission which can be used as co-combustion for renewable energy generation