ULM creates membrane bioreactor to process palm oil waste

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Materials and Membranes Research Group Team at Lambung Mangkurat University (M2ReG ULM) in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, has created a membrane bioreactor for palm oil waste processing.

"This tool is designed to process POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent) with a bench scale into water, which can be reused," said Professor Muthia Elma, head of M2ReG research team in Banjarbaru, Sunday.

Membrane bio-reactors (MBR) use a hybrid sludge methode that combine low-pressure driven microfiltration and ultrafiltration for essential solid-liquid separation with biological treatment.

By this processing, the negative impacts on the environment will be reduced and the efficiency of waste management in palm oil plantation will increased.

Committee for Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) made a special visit to the ULM Faculty of Engineering laboratory after knowing this equipment.

Muthia said that BPDPKS expressed appreciation for the efforts and innovation of M2Reg team after seeing first hand the POME waste processing with bench scale.

They expected the technology to be implemented soon in the field to increase the efficiency and sustainability of POME waste management in oil palm plantation.

"The committee is also interested in the potential for using biogas fuel from POME waste as alternative energy that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels," said Muthia, Professor of Chemical Engineering at ULM who has obtained four patents from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for her research works.

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