LAPSE:2023.5509v1
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.5509v1
Simulation and Optimisation of Integrated Anaerobic-Aerobic Bioreactor (IAAB) for the Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent
February 23, 2023
Abstract
This study highlights an innovative piece of hybrid technology, whereby the combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes into a single reactor, namely, the integrated anaerobic−aerobic bioreactor (IAAB) can surpass the limits of conventional methods treating palm oil mill effluent (POME). Optimisation of IAAB using SuperPro Designer V9 simulator for maximum biogas yield while addressing its economic and environmental trade-offs was conducted for the first time. Parameters such as hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR) were optimised in the anaerobic compartment from 10 days and 6.2 g COD/L day to 9 days and 6.9 g COD/L day, respectively. Furthermore, sludge recycle ratio was optimised from 20% to 50% in the aerobic compartment. The optimisation was successful where the biogas yield increased from 0.24 to 0.29 L CH4/g CODremoved with excellent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal efficiencies up to 99% with 5.8% lower net expenditure. This simulation results were comparable against the pre-commercialized IAAB with 11.4% increase in methane yield after optimisation. Economic analysis had proven the optimised process to be feasible, resulting in return on investment (ROI), payback time, and internal rate of return (IRR) of 24.5%, 4.1 years, and 17.9%, respectively.
This study highlights an innovative piece of hybrid technology, whereby the combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes into a single reactor, namely, the integrated anaerobic−aerobic bioreactor (IAAB) can surpass the limits of conventional methods treating palm oil mill effluent (POME). Optimisation of IAAB using SuperPro Designer V9 simulator for maximum biogas yield while addressing its economic and environmental trade-offs was conducted for the first time. Parameters such as hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR) were optimised in the anaerobic compartment from 10 days and 6.2 g COD/L day to 9 days and 6.9 g COD/L day, respectively. Furthermore, sludge recycle ratio was optimised from 20% to 50% in the aerobic compartment. The optimisation was successful where the biogas yield increased from 0.24 to 0.29 L CH4/g CODremoved with excellent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal efficiencies up to 99% with 5.8% lower net expenditure. This simulation results were comparable against the pre-commercialized IAAB with 11.4% increase in methane yield after optimisation. Economic analysis had proven the optimised process to be feasible, resulting in return on investment (ROI), payback time, and internal rate of return (IRR) of 24.5%, 4.1 years, and 17.9%, respectively.
Record ID
Keywords
aerobic, anaerobic, biogas, optimisation, palm oil mill effluent (POME)
Subject
Suggested Citation
Chong JWR, Chan YJ, Chong S, Ho YC, Mohamad M, Tan WN, Cheng CK, Lim JW. Simulation and Optimisation of Integrated Anaerobic-Aerobic Bioreactor (IAAB) for the Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent. (2023). LAPSE:2023.5509v1
Author Affiliations
Chong JWR: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia [ORCID]
Chan YJ: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia [ORCID]
Chong S: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia [ORCID]
Ho YC: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Centre for Urban Resource Sustainability, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Mohamad M: Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli 17600, Kelantan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Tan WN: Chemistry Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
Cheng CK: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Catalysis and Separation (CeCaS), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Lim JW: Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Chan YJ: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia [ORCID]
Chong S: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Selangor, Malaysia [ORCID]
Ho YC: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Centre for Urban Resource Sustainability, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Mohamad M: Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli 17600, Kelantan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Tan WN: Chemistry Section, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
Cheng CK: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Catalysis and Separation (CeCaS), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Lim JW: Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia [ORCID]
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
9
Issue
7
First Page
1124
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-06-28
ISSN
2227-9717
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PII: pr9071124, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.5509v1
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https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9071124
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Feb 23, 2023
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