Comparative environmental impact evaluation using life cycle assessment approach: a case study of integrated membrane-filtration system for the treatment of aerobically-digested palm oil mill effluent

Abstract Aiming to mitigate wastewater pollution arising from the palm oil industry, this university-industry research-and-development project focused on integration of serial treatment processes, including use moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), pre-treatment with sand filters and activated carbon filters, membrane technology for aerobically-digested mill effluent (POME) treatment. To assess potential sustainable alternative practice in developed was demonstrated a pilot-scale facility: four combinations (Combinations I IV) unit operations were an integrated membrane-filtration system. Combination includes MBBR, comprising ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, reverse osmosis (RO) while II excludes III UF IV both MBBR membrane. Life cycle assessment (LCA) performed evaluate environmental impacts each combination achieving goal obtaining recycled reusable water POME It is reported that electricity consumption predominant factor contributing most those categories (50–77%) as emissions dioxide (CO 2 ), sulfur (SO nitrogen oxides, volatile mercury during combustion fossil fuels. system all incurring high (52 MJ) contributed greatest impact. Electricity registers highest impact towards life categories: 73% climate change, 80% terrestrial acidification, 51% eutrophication, 43% human toxicity. Conversely, environmentally-friendly process, since it involves only two-unit – (comprising filters) RO thus incurs least (41.6 MJ). The LCA offers insights into operating process facilitates researchers industry production.