The application of crosslinking oil palm trunk starch coagulants for landfill leachate treatment

Abstract

Coagulation-flocculation has been extensively used as a semi-aerobic landfill leachate treatment, prior to other treatment methods. Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) coagulants is prominent in landfill leachate treatment, however the application of PAC may introduce potentially harmful residuals into the aquatic environment. In this study, crosslinked starch-based coagulants had been produced from oil palm trunk waste (C-OPTS). To date, no attempt has been made to avail crosslinked oil palm trunk starch application in landfill leachate treatment. Based on the results, C-OPTS can be employed as coagulants. Jar test results had ascertained that optimum pH and dosages value for C-OPTS and PAC. Indeed, no pH adjustment was required for C-OPTS and its optimum dosage was only one-eighth of PAC optimum dosage. Therefore, C-OPTS would be an alternative coagulant substituting PAC, depending on leachate condition. The overall findings concluded that C-OPTS were feasible for landfill leachate treatment in terms of coagulation performance and sustainable environmental management.