Tofu’s Liquid waste treatment by continuous vermibiofilter column-type reactor

Abstract

The demands of tofu as food constantly increase in Indonesia, a large amount of clean water for production process of this food enhance significantly and resulting amount of liquid waste discharging goes to the sewer system increase and finally arrive into the streams or rivers in almost all big cities in Indonesia. Currently, only view of tofu makers which have waste water treatment plant however far from the standard which is expected for treating this liquid waste. Sampling of this liquid waste from centre of tofu maker were not comply the ministry of environment and forestry regulation (PerMenLH No.5 Tahun 2014). Therefore, in this study we have used vermibiofilter column-type reactor for treating Tofu’s liquid waste for reducing the concentration of pollutant. Vermibiofilter has chosen since this technique is regarded as simply way for treating the tofu’s liquid waste and also will provide a benefit for earthworm farmer in which this tofu’s liquid waste is food stuff for earthworm. The Species of earthworm we have used was Lumbricus rubellus that is an endemic earthworm in Indonesia. Usage of earthworm in biofilter column-type reactor shown that the removal efficiency of turbidity, TSS, COD, and BOD are 99.2 %, 66.19 %, 80.77 % and 81.05 % respectively and for column-type reactor without having earthworm (biofilter) as a control, the removal efficiency for Turbidity, TSS, COD and BOD are 98.4 %, 41.93 %, 66.77 % and 66.7 % respectively. This result showed that earthworm Lumbricus rubellus plays significant role for degrading organic matter, producing the microorganism decomposer and also absorbing organic matter.