Column Adsorption Studies for Oil Removal in POME by Using Esterified Sago Bark

Abstract

The mixture of residual oil in POME was released into the environment
and polluted the environment, affecting the quality of water in rivers
and seas. Sago bark (SB) from Metroxylon sagu harvested in Sarawak,
Malaysia as a cheap natural adsorbent was investigated for removing
POME through the adsorption process. The hydrophobicity of this
sorbent in an aqueous state was improved via the esterification
process. The esterification of sago bark was conducted at a ratio of
sago bark (SB) to stearic acid (SA) by 4 to 1. Parameters of bed height
and particle sizes of esterified sago bark (ESB) and flow rate of POME
were analysed using full central composite (CCD) of response surface
methodology (RSM). Hydrophobicity test, FTIR and SEM were carried
out to characterize the ESB. Results showed that the esterification
process has successfully increased the hydrophobicity of sago bark by
51.7% and increased the oil removal efficiency of ESB in POME by
53.33%. A developed 2-factor interaction (2FI) model showed that the
conditions of ESB in 0.5 mm sizes with 15 cm bed height and at 5
ml/min of flow rate obtained 97.8% efficiency of oil removal in POME.
SB esterification has successfully increased the oil adsorption and the
removal of emulsion oil in POME.