Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nutrient Recovery from Anaerobic Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Palm Kernel Shell Biochar and Deoiled Spent Bleaching Earth and Their Effect on Oil Palm Growth

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advancements in Materials Science and Technology Led by Women

Part of the book series: Advanced Structured Materials ((STRUCTMAT,volume 165))

  • 174 Accesses

Abstract

Untreated palm oil mill effluent (POME) causes severe environmental pollution. Anaerobic pretreatment followed by nutrient recovery with subsequent use as fertiliser can avoid pollution and generate value-added products. We investigated the feasibility of recovering nutrients from anaerobically pretreated POME using palm kernel shell biochar (PKSBC) and deoiled spent bleaching earth (DSBE) as sorption agents. Nursery trials were conducted to study the effect of the nutrient-enriched PKSBC and DSBE on Haplic Acrisol soil fertility and oil palm seedling growth. About 14% of P, 43% of NH3 and 42% of Fe content present in DSBE-pretreated POME were recovered by PKSBC, while DSBE was able to recover 47% of NH3 and 27% of Fe from anaerobically pretreated POME. Both nutrient-enriched sorption agents enhanced soil properties, with DSBE-treated soil showing superior fertility and performance. The cation exchange capacity of Haplic Acrisol increased from 6.6 to 11.8 meq/100 g for DSBE-treated soil and to 8.7 meq/100 g for PKSBC treatment. The growth and health of oil palm seedlings, measured in terms of collar diameter and leaf colour index, was greatest for DSBE-treated soils, followed by PKSBC-treated soils and control. This study shows the reuse potential of palm oil industry by-products towards a circular palm oil economy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahmad Farid MA et al (2019) A holistic treatment system for palm oil mill effluent by incorporating the anaerobic-aerobic-wetland sequential system and a convective sludge dryer. Chem Eng J 369:195–204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American Public Health Association (2005) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association, APHA, Washington, DC, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachmann RT, Adawiyah S, Krishnan T, Khoo B, Sian TS, Richards T (2018) Partial substitution of peat moss with biochar for sustainable cultivation of Durio zibethinus L. in nurseries. Arab J Geosci 11:426

    Google Scholar 

  • Bello MM, Abdul Raman AA (2017) Trend and current practices of palm oil mill effluent polishing: Application of advanced oxidation processes and their future perspectives. J Environ Manage 198:170–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackwell M, Darch T, Haslam R (2019) Phosphorus use efficiency and fertilizers: future opportunities for improvements. Front Agric Sci Eng 6:332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charles A, Cheng CK (2019) Photocatalytic treatment of palm oil mill effluent by visible light-active calcium ferrite: effects of catalyst preparation technique. J Environ Manage 234:404–411

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charles A et al (2019) Facile synthesis of CaFe2O4 for visible light driven treatment of polluting palm oil mill effluent: Photokinetic and scavenging study. Sci Total Environ 661:522–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng CK, Deraman MR, Ng KH, Khan MR (2016) Preparation of titania doped argentum photocatalyst and its photoactivity towards palm oil mill effluent degradation. J Clean Prod 112:1128–1135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chojnacka K, Gorazda K, Witek-Krowiak A, Moustakas K (2019) Recovery of fertilizer nutrients from materials - Contradictions, mistakes and future trends. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 110:485–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Csuros M (2018) Cation Exchange Capacity. Environ Sampling Anal 4:313–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding GT, Yaakob Z, Takriff MS, Salihon J, Abd Rahaman MS (2016) Biomass production and nutrients removal by a newly-isolated microalgal strain Chlamydomonas sp in palm oil mill effluent (POME). Int J Hydrogen Energy 41:4888–4895

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faloye OT, Alatise MO, Ajayi AE, Ewulo BS (2017) Synergistic effects of biochar and inorganic fertiliser on maize (zea mays) yield in an alfisol under drip irrigation. Soil Tillage Res 174:214–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foo S, Loh SK, Ismail K, Bachmann RT (2020) Nutrient recovery from anaerobic palm oil mill effluent with thermally regenerated spent bleaching earth using response surface methodology. J Oil Palm Res 32:245–257

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gamaralalage D, Sawai O, Nunoura T (2019) Degradation behavior of palm oil mill effluent in Fenton oxidation. J Hazard Mater 364:791–799

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gong H, Tan Z, Zhang L, Huang Q (2019) Preparation of biochar with high absorbability and its nutrient adsorption–desorption behaviour. Sci Total Environ 694:133728

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grisso R, Alley M, Holshouser D, Thomason W (2009) Precision farming tools: soil electrical conductivity. Virginia Coop Ext 442:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Hossain MS, Omar F, Asis AJ, Bachmann RT, Islam Sarker MZ, Ab Kadir MO (2019) Effective treatment of palm oil mill effluent using FeSO4.7H2O waste from titanium oxide industry: coagulation adsorption isotherm and kinetics studies. J Clean Prod 219:86–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houmani ZMM, Majid AA, Radiman S, Ahmad Z (2012) Effects of physico-chemical soil properties on the adsorption and transport of 137Cs in Rengam and Selangor soil series. Malaysian J Anal Sci 16:94–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Hukari S, Hermann L, Nättorp A (2016) From wastewater to fertilisers—technical overview and critical review of European legislation governing phosphorus recycling. Sci Total Environ 542:1127–1135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huzir NM, Aziz MMA, Ismail SB, Mahmood NAN, Umor NA, Faua’ad Syed Muhammad SA, (2019) Optimization of coagulation-flocculation process for the palm oil mill effluent treatment by using rice husk ash. Ind Crops Prod 139:111482

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jalaludin N, Rahman RA, Razali F, Barghash HF, Sukri SSM (2016) Optimization of fresh palm oil mill effluent biodegradation with Aspergillus Niger and Trichoderma Virens. Arch Environ Prot 42:63–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasak K et al (2018) Biochar enhances plant growth and nutrient removal in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Sci Total Environ 639:67–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasprzyk M, Gajewska M (2019) Phosphorus removal by application of natural and semi-natural materials for possible recovery according to assumptions of circular economy and closed circuit of P. Sci Total Environ 650:249–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong SH, Loh SK, Bachmann RT, Rahim SA, Salimon J (2014) Biochar from oil palm biomass: a review of its potential and challenges. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 39:729–739

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong SH, Loh SK, Bachmann RT, Zainal H, Cheong KY (2019) Palm kernel shell biochar production, characteristics and carbon sequestration potential. J Oil Palm Res 31:508–520

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kopittke PM, Menzies NW (2007) A Review of the use of the basic cation saturation ratio and the ‘Ideal’ soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kushairi A et al (2018) Oil palm economic performance in Malaysia and R&D progress in 2017. J Oil Palm Res 30:163–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam MK, Lee KT (2011) Renewable and sustainable bioenergies production from palm oil mill effluent (POME): win–win strategies toward better environmental protection. Biotechnol Adv 29:124–141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Legal research board, environmental quality Act 1974 (Act 127) and Subsidiary Legislation 1977. International law book services, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

    Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Duan T, Zheng C (2019) Effects of different carbon to nitrogen ratio organic fertilizers on soil microbial biomass in organic agriculture. Rev Fac Agron 36:1287–1295

    Google Scholar 

  • Liew WL, Kassim MA, Muda K, Loh SK, Affam AC (2015) Conventional methods and emerging wastewater polishing technologies for palm oil mill effluent treatment: a review. J Environ Manage 149:222–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim SC, Gomes C, Ab Kadir MZA (2013) Characterizing of bentonite with chemical, physical and electrical perspectives for improvement of electrical grounding systems. Int J Electrochem Sci 8:11429–11447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X et al (2013) Biochar’s effect on crop productivity and the dependence on experimental conditions—a meta-analysis of literature data. Plant Soil 373:583–594

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK, Cheng SF, Choo YM, Ma AN (2006) A study of residual oils recovered from spent bleaching earth: their characteristics and applications. Am J Appl Sci 3:2063–2067

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK, James S, Ngatiman M, Cheong KY, Choo YM, Lim WS (2013a) Enhancement of palm oil refinery waste—Spent bleaching earth (SBE) into bio organic fertilizer and their effects on crop biomass growth. Ind Crops Prod 49:775–781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK et al (2013b) Zero discharge treatment technology of palm oil mill effluent. J Oil Palm Res 25:273–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK, Cheong KY, Choo YM, Salimon J (2015) Formulation and optimisation of spent bleaching earth-based bio organic fertiliser. J Oil Palm Res 27:57–66

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK, Cheong KY, Salimon J (2017a) Surface-active physicochemical characteristics of spent bleaching earth on soil-plant interaction and water-nutrient uptake: A review. Appl Clay Sci 140:59–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loh SK et al (2017b) First Report on Malaysia’s experiences and development in biogas capture and utilization from palm oil mill effluent under the economic transformation programme: current and future perspectives. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 74:1257–1274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng KH, Lee CH, Khan MR, Cheng CK (2016) Photocatalytic degradation of recalcitrant POME waste by using silver doped titania: Photokinetics and scavenging studies. Chem Eng J 286:282–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandit NR, Mulder J, Hale SE, Martinsen V, Schmidt HP, Cornelissen G (2018) Biochar improves maize growth by alleviation of nutrient stress in a moderately acidic low-input Nepalese soil. Sci Total Environ 625:1380–1389

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peats M, Rippy JFM, Nelson PV (2007) Cation exchange capacity and base saturation variation among Alberta. North 42:349–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Radin R, Abu Bakar R, Ishak CF, Ahmad SH, Tsong LC (2018) Biochar-compost mixture as amendment for improvement of polybag-growing media and oil palm seedlings at main nursery stage. Int J Recycl Org Waste Agric 7:11–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajkovich S, Enders A, Hanley K, Hyland C, Zimmerman AR, Lehmann J (2012) Corn growth and nitrogen nutrition after additions of biochars with varying properties to a temperate soil. Biol Fertil Soils 48:271–284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabrina DT, Hanafi MM, Azwady Nor AA, Mahmud TMM (2009) Earthworm populations and cast properties in the soils of oil palm plantations. Malaysian J Soil Sci 13:29–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Siva KB, Aminuddin H, Husni MHA, Manas AR (2000) Ammonia volatilization from urea as affected by humic substances derived from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and tropical peat. Trop Agric 77:13–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Spångberg J, Tidåker P, Jönsson H (2014) Environmental impact of recycling nutrients in human excreta to agriculture compared with enhanced wastewater treatment. Sci Total Environ 493:209–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan YD, Lim JS (2019) Feasibility of palm oil mill effluent elimination towards sustainable Malaysian palm oil industry. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 111:507–522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tiemann TT et al (2018) Feeding the palm. Adv Agron 152:149–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu TY, Mohammad AW, Jahim JM, Anuar N (2007) Palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment and bioresources recovery using ultrafiltration membrane: Effect of pressure on membrane fouling. Biochem Eng J 35:309–317

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu TY, Mohammad AW, Jahim JM, Anuar N (2009) A holistic approach to managing palm oil mill effluent (POME): Biotechnological advances in the sustainable reuse of POME. Biotechnol Adv 27:40–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Ma Y, Yu F, Sun Y, Dai X, Ma J (2020) Simultaneous in situ nutrient recovery and sustainable wastewater purification based on metal anion- and cation-targeted selective adsorbents. J Hazard Mater 382:121039

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zainal NH, Jalanai NF, Mamat R, Astimar AA (2017) A review on the development of palm oil mill effluent (POME) final discharge polishing treatments. J Oil Palm Res 29:528–540

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zainal H, Loh SK, Kong SH, Bachmann RT (2018) Pilot scale biochar production from palm Kernel Shell (PKS) in a fixed bed allothermal reactor. J Oil Palm Res 30:485–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng Q, Rossi S, Yang B (2018) Effects of age and size on xylem phenology in two conifers of Northwestern China. Front Plant Sci 8:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Green Chemistry and Sustainable Engineering Technology Cluster, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bio-Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, 78000, Alor Gajah, Malacca, Malaysia

    Nur Maisarah Ahmad, Nurul Shafinah Foo, Khaliesah Abbas, Siew Kooi Ong, Nazatulshima Hassan, Abbas Fadhl Mubarek Al-Karkhi & Robert Thomas Bachmann

  2. Energy and Environment Unit, Engineering and Processing Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Soh Kheang Loh

  3. Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria

    Mustapha Mohammed Bello

Authors
  1. Nur Maisarah Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nurul Shafinah Foo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Soh Kheang Loh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Khaliesah Abbas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Siew Kooi Ong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nazatulshima Hassan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Abbas Fadhl Mubarek Al-Karkhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Mustapha Mohammed Bello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Robert Thomas Bachmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Thomas Bachmann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Lumut, Perak, Malaysia

    Azman Ismail

  2. Faculty of Information Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Machang, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Fatin Nur Zulkipli

  3. Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Information Technology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Husna Sarirah Husin

  4. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Esslingen, Germany

    Andreas Öchsner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ahmad, N.M. et al. (2023). Nutrient Recovery from Anaerobic Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Palm Kernel Shell Biochar and Deoiled Spent Bleaching Earth and Their Effect on Oil Palm Growth. In: Ismail, A., Nur Zulkipli, F., Husin, H.S., Öchsner, A. (eds) Advancements in Materials Science and Technology Led by Women. Advanced Structured Materials, vol 165. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21959-7_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation