Dilaeleyana Binti Abu Bakar Sidik Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is highly polluted wastewater produced during palm oil processing. Unfortunately, even after an anaerobic treatment, the anaerobically treated POME (AnT-POME) still contains high colour, turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). This is harmful to the environment if it is discharged without further treatment. This study focuses on treating AnT-POME using a photocatalytic membrane system (PMS) assisted by biosynthesised zinc oxide-Mangifera odorata nanofluids (ZnO-MO NFs). Mangifera Odorata (MO) leaf extract was used to produce ZnO nanoparticles, as it acts as a natural stabiliser, improving particle stability and reducing agglomeration. One-factor-at-a-time was used for the optimisation of PMS by varying nanofluid
loading, wastewater concentration, and pH. The performance of the treatment was evaluated based on membrane flux behaviour and colour and turbidity removal. It is expected that, through this study, a clearer perspective on PMS performance and membrane fouling behaviour can be achieved, while promoting a sustainable approach to treating palm oil mill effluent.