Effect of low hydraulic retention time (hrt) in treating palm oil mill effluent (pome) using microbial fuel cell / Nur Farah Najuwa Binti Che Ani

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Technology (Hons) ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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This study explores the potential of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) as an innovative and sustainable approach for the treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), a major environmental pollutant generated by the palm oil industry. The research focuses on evaluating the performance of MFCs in reducing key pollutants, including Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Oil and Grease (O&G), and color, while simultaneously harnessing bioelectricity as a renewable energy source. The experimental findings demonstrate that MFCs effectively reduced COD levels from an average 43% to 80% at different parameter HRT. Similarly, O&G concentrations were lowered until 82.3%. Furthermore, the study investigated the impact of low Hydraulic Retention Times (HRTs) ranging from 1 to 3 days, revealing that shorter HRTs can achieve efficient pollutant removal while maintaining energy recovery through microbial activity. Despite these promising outcomes, challenges such as high internal resistance and limited power output remain significant barriers to large-scale implementation. Addressing these limitations through optimization of MFC configurations and operational parameters is essential to enhance system efficiency and scalability. This research contributes to advancing sustainable wastewater treatment technologies by demonstrating the dual benefits of environmental remediation and renewable energy generation. The findings underscore the potential of MFC technology to meet stringent regulatory standards, reduce the environmental footprint of POME, and support the transition toward a more sustainable palm oil industry