Continuous electrocoagulation treatment of Borneo tropical brackish peat water from palm oil plantation region for domestic consumption in rural coastal areas

Abstract

Sarawak located on Borneo Island has vast availability of tropical brackish peat water sources, especially at palm oil plantation regions in rural coastal areas. However, this water source is currently underutilized as source for water treatment plant in the state. As such, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of continuous electrocoagulation treatment to treat Borneo tropical brackish peat water at varied initial salinity levels for domestic consumption in rural coastal areas. Correspondingly, the main objectives of this study are (i) to conduct an experimental study analysis to treat tropical brackish peat water at varied initial salinity levels and residence time, (ii) to compare the treated water quality to the Malaysian National Water Quality Standard (NWQS), and (iii) to conduct energy operating cost analysis. Subsequent, this study has found that the treated water could meet the recommended levels in NWQS with maximum reduction efficiency at 94.09% of colour, 89.91% of total suspended solids, 63.19% of pH, 78.93% of electrical conductivity, 92.71% of chemical oxygen demand, 80% of salinity, and 86.04% of turbidity with optimal residence time of 5 min. From the energy operating cost analysis conducted, the optimal energy consumption cost only Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 0.12 or United States Dollars (USD) 0.03 per cubic metre of brackish peat water treated. Overall, the study has demonstrated that continuous electrocoagulation treatment is feasible to simultaneously reduce natural organic matters and salinity from Borneo tropical brackish peat water in which compliance to the NWQS at reasonable cost.