ZERO WASTE TECHNOLOGY FOR PALM OIL MILLS ( POMEDfree® )

(Officer In-charge:Dr. Hj. Zulkifli Abd. Rahman)

 

The growth of palm oil production in Malaysia in the last few decades has given rise to major environmental issues, particularly the discharge of large quantities of treated waste effluent into the rivers as well as the emission of methane from palm oil mill digestion ponds to the atmosphere. The proposed technology offers a zero waste discharge for palm oil mills through effective and judicial management of solid and liquid waste produced after the milling process. The technology involves the initial reduction of the effluent production rate from the milling process followed by its spraying on shredded empty fruit bunches in the presence of thermophilic microbes. The continuous composting aerobic activity will be able to evaporate all the liquid, thus resulting in zero effluent discharge. During the trial, the nutrient-rich compost was in excellent condition for use as a fertilizer in oil palm plantations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Objective

This technology is developed with the objectives of:

• Achieving zero effluent discharge for palm oil mills

• Avoiding methane emissions through aerobic composting process

• Producing valuable high nutrient compost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 POMEDfree composting plant

 

Advantages

POMEDfree technology is a promising technology for palm oil millers to address the concern of effluent discharge from palm oil mills:

 

1. No more worries on BOD 20 ppm compliance

2. Allows consideration for palm oil mills to be built in sensitive area

        -Areas close to rivers, aquaculture and villages

        -Areas with peat soil

  3.  Savings in mineral fertilizers

        -Savings of up to RM 4 million a year in mineral fertilizer for a 45 t/h mill

        -With 100% recycling of nutrient from wastes (EFB and POME), the compost

          produced has up to 2.5 times higher nutrients compared to other partial composts.

  4.Sustainability issues

        -Reduction in greenhouse gases emission

        -Zero pollution to rivers