Lignin Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Calcium Lactate: The Effect Of Polymers And Magnesium Hydroxide As A Flocculant Aids

  • A. Y. Zahrim Chemical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
  • A. Nazimah Chemical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
  • S. Rosalam Chemical Engineering Programme, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Keywords: Calcium lactate, coagulation/flocculation, lignin, zeta potential, polymer, magnesium hydroxide

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) which is mainly associated with lignin has becoming
a major concern due to its highly coloured appearance. The main colourant, i.e. lignin
particles are difficult to be degraded in oil palm conventional biological ponding
system. Coagulation/flocculation could remove the lignin prior to biological treatment
and is considered vital to minimize the recalcitrance nature of palm oil mill effluent
particles. In this study, the coagulation/flocculation process was investigated to remove
lignin particles from aqueous solution. A non-toxic and biodegradable chemical i.e.
calcium lactate was utilized as a destabilizer for the removal of lignin with an addition of
several flocculants aid i.e. anionic polyacrylamide (APAM), polydimethyldiallylammonium
chloride (polyDADMAC) and magnesium hydroxide. The effect of coagulant and
flocculant aids dosage was investigated. From this study, it was found that the optimum
condition was at 0.7g/L of calcium lactate and 0.5-1.0mg/L of APAM with ~64% of lignin
removal. At concentration of 4 mg/L, the removal of lignin for APAM and polyDADMAC
is similar. This result shows that the calcium lactate has potential as a coagulant and the
efficiency can be enhanced with an addition of polymeric flocculant aids.

Published
2014-12-31
How to Cite
Zahrim, A. Y., Nazimah, A., & Rosalam, S. (2014). Lignin Removal From Aqueous Solution Using Calcium Lactate: The Effect Of Polymers And Magnesium Hydroxide As A Flocculant Aids. ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering, 14(1), 25-36. Retrieved from https://dev.journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/AJChE/article/view/8476
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Articles