Innovative Solutions for Palm Oil Mill Effluent Treatment: A Membrane Technology Perspective

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) presents significant environmental challenges in palm oil-producing countries due to its complex composition and high organic content. Membrane technology has emerged as a viable treatment option that offers efficient separation processes. This review examines various POME treatment methods with an emphasis on membrane bioreactor (MBR) applications. MBRs, including aerobic, anaerobic, and hybrid configurations, have demonstrated effectiveness in pollutant reduction, with a key emphasis on fouling minimization. Despite their advantages, membrane fouling remains a major limitation, leading to reduced performance and increased maintenance costs. This review critically evaluates factors influencing fouling and explores sustainable mitigation strategies. Furthermore, life cycle analysis (LCA) is highlighted as a vital tool for evaluating the environmental impact of POME treatment. Various chemical and biological pollution assessment methods used in existing risk evaluations are also discussed. The main objective of the insights offered is to improve knowledge of the opportunities and limitations related to using membrane technology for the efficient and sustainable treatment of POME. This review encourages the continuous development of novel membrane-based solutions, promoting environmental sustainability and improved wastewater management in the palm oil industry by addressing key challenges and developments.