High-Efficiency Anaerobic Biofilm Reactor for POME Treatment
📊 Project Overview
Ecology Solution, in partnership with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Central Queensland University (CQU), has successfully piloted a 2000-liter anaerobic biofilm reactor for the sustainable treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). This project offers a scalable and compact alternative to conventional lagoon systems and aligns with Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards.
🔄 Core Achievements:
89.85% COD reduction at 13.3 days HRT
74.5% TS and 77.0% TSS removal
Stable operation for 280 days
Biogas generation potential through efficient methanogenesis
🌍 Environmental Impact & Industry Significance
Palm oil mills in Malaysia generate vast volumes of POME, a high-COD effluent that must be treated before discharge. Traditional lagoon systems require high land usage and long retention times.
Our biofilm reactor:
Cuts treatment time by 30-40% compared to lagoon systems
Produces lower sludge volume
Improves biogas recovery
Operates under mesophilic temperature (38°C) for optimal microbial activity
📊 Technical Highlights
Pilot Reactor Specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reactor Volume | 2000 Liters |
| Optimum HRT | 13.3 days |
| Optimum OLR | 9.0 kg COD/day |
| Operating Temp | 36–40°C |
| Packing Media | High surface area bio-carriers |
| Seeding Source | CSTR sludge + agriculture waste |
Treatment Performance (at Optimal Phase)
| Metric | Influent | Effluent | Removal Efficiency |
| COD | 60,000 mg/L | 6,118 mg/L | 89.85% |
| TS | 29,500 mg/L | 6,500 mg/L | 74.5% |
| TSS | 19,875 mg/L | 3,700 mg/L | 77.0% |
| pH | 4.5 | 7.0–7.5 | Neutralized |
🧬 Microbial Performance & Reactor Stability
The reactor maintained optimal pH (7.0–7.8), temperature, and microbial load (up to 36.5 g/L MLVSS). DNA sequencing showed strong microbial community structure, dominated by:
Anaerolineaceae: Hydrolysis
Syntrophomonas: Acetogenesis
Methanosaeta: Methanogenesis
These microbes worked synergistically to convert organic matter into methane-rich biogas while improving effluent quality.
🏢 Industrial Upscaling Potential
This 2000L pilot validates the reactor’s adaptability for full-scale operations. By maintaining high efficiency at 13.3-day HRT, the system offers a compact, modular alternative for palm oil mills with limited land.
Scalable to 10,000 TPD plants
Suitable for MSPO certification
Aligns with UN SDG 6, 9, 13
Ready for Industrial Application?