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Microwave physicochemical activation: an advanced approach to produce activated biochar for palm oil mill effluent treatment

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Abstract

Empty fruit bunch (EFB) is an industrial waste that is abundantly available in Malaysia. Traditionally, EFBs were burned and dumped on the plantation site, resulting in global warming pollution from methane and carbon dioxide. In this study, the EFB was transformed into a high-surface area of activated biochar through a microwave physicochemical approach involving the combination of steam followed by a hydroxide mixture for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment. It was found that BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area and total pore volume of activated biochar were 365.60 m2/g and 0.16 cm3/g, respectively. The surface morphology of activated biochar revealed the formation of well-developed pores that can potentially be used as adsorbents to treat POME. The removal efficiency of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of POME achieved 75%–55%, respectively. This study offers insight into the transformation of industrial waste into value-added products for sustainable environmental remediation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the monetary support by University of College Technology Sarawak under University Grant Scheme (Project No. UCTS/RESEARCH/4/2018/17) to perform the research. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank all staff for their continuous encouragement and assistance throughout this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research of Innovation and Sustainable Development, University of Technology Sarawak, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Kew Kiong Kong, Peter Nai Yuh Yek & How Sing Sii

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Man Djun Lee

  3. NV WESTERN PLT, No. 208B, Second Floor, Macalister Road, 10400, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

    Rock Keey Liew

  4. Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Su Shiung Lam

  5. Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India

    Su Shiung Lam

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  1. Kew Kiong Kong
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Correspondence to How Sing Sii or Su Shiung Lam.

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Kong, K.K., Yek, P.N.Y., Sii, H.S. et al. Microwave physicochemical activation: an advanced approach to produce activated biochar for palm oil mill effluent treatment. Waste Dispos. Sustain. Energy 4, 323–333 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-022-00115-1

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