Degradation of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and potential of hydrogen (pH) in POME by DBD plasma

Abstract

Plasma technology was used in palm oil liquid waste (POME) management research. Plasma discharge generated in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma reactor was utilized to decrease BOD content and pH in POME. The DBD plasma reactor, with spiral-rod configuration, used in this study has 50 windings. Charge carrier mobility was calculated based on the electrical characteristics of the reactor to determine its effect on the decrease in BOD and pH levels of the sample. The effect of the gas flow rate on pH and BOD was also determined on the 1 hour and 2 hours treated samples. The results showed that 1 hour irradiation with the gas flow rate of 1.5 L/min resulted in pH of 9 and BOD of 180.30 mg/L, decrease from control sample having BOD of 342.86 mg/L and pH of 11, this is the most effective decrease compared to that obtained from 2 hours irradiation and 1.5 L/min flow rate. The results obtained approached the value permitted by the environmental ministerial regulation of 2005, concerning to Quality Standards of Domestic Wastewater. These results suggest that plasma technology is potential for the management of POME.