The Utilization of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) for Bioenergy through Wild Algae Treatment

Abstract

Besides of high content of COD/BOD, Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is also potential for nutrient source for microalgae growth. Reducing COD/BOD in pond aerobic system could not reduce its level to allowable limit, and therefore another additional waste treatment method is required. Treatment by using wild algae is relatively cheap and not require chemical for its treatment. Wild algae which is wildly grow in nature is able to consume nutrient as well as BOD in their site. With this concept, we evaluate this algae for reducing waste component in POME and then us the filtrate for another algae growth. Chlorella is one of high potential for biodiesel since it has hih lipid content (20-30%). The objective of the research is to determine growth rate and biomass productivity in Chlorella Sp cultured in treated POME by using wild alga. Chlorella Sp was cultured in 20%, 50%, 70% POME using urea concentration 0.1gr/L (low nitrogen source) and 1gr/l (high nitrogen source) at flask disk, pH 6.8-7.2; aerated using aquarium pump and fluorescence lamp 3000-6000 lux as light. The biomass was measured using spectrophotometer Optima Sp-300 OD at 680 wavelength in 15 days At end of cultivation, Chlorella sp was filtered and measured as dry weight. Result indicated that Chlorella sp at 50% POME 1gr/L urea showed higher specific growth rate (0.066/day). Factor affecting growth rate of microalgae is CNP ratio, POME concentration, and urea concentration