Analysis of pH and turbidity in palm oil industrial wastewater treatment using Moringa and Oleifera seed extract as a coagulant

Abstract

The chemicals (Aluminium sulphate and ferric chloride) used as main coagulants during the treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) are harmful to the environment through pH deviation and high turbidity in the released waste water. The objective of this study was to experimentally determine the pH and turbidity of this waste water sample using a natural coagulant (Molinga Oleifera Seed (MOS) extract). pH and Turbidity of the waste water sample (obtained from Bidco-Jinja plant Uganda) was carried out by the jar test method using a pH meter and a spectrophotometer respectively with the MOS extract dosages of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg/l. The following results were obtained; 8.44, 7.36, 7.28, 7.22, 7.18, 7.12 and 7.00 for pH and 10.15, 1.60, 1.02, 0.84, 0.62, 0.53 and 0.31 NTU for turbidity with respective MOS extract dosages ranging from 0 to 60mg/l. There was a significant pH correction from 8.44 to 7.0 and an efficient turbidity removal of 97%. Therefore, due to this turbidity reduction and pH correction; Moringa Oleifera seed extract should be used in POME waste water treatment since its abundant in nature and environmentally friendly compared to the chemicals.