Page 21 - rise 2017

Removal of Oil and Grease Using Banana Fiber Filter

1, a
2,b
Rosnani Ahmad , Khairul Salleh Baharuddin and Norpishah Ahmad 3,c, *

1,3 Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Selangor
2 MAHSA University, Selangor

b
a rosnani@psa.edu.mymail, ksalleh@mahsa.edu.mymail, norpishah@psa.edu.my
c

Abstract
Wastewater effluents, clogged with greasy and coloury sauce are most commonly found in the drain
surrounding food court, coffee shops and food stalls. Fat, oil and grease (FOG) are the main filthy
wastewater pollutants coming from these eatery areas. The situation worsens especially during busy
period due to higher surge volume of these pollutants due to higher levels of FOG which cause a
higher biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Thus, removal of this oil and grease becomes very
essential to protect aquatic environment. This research studies the use of banana fiber as filter for food
court wastewater. Four parameters to be tested are oil and grease, chemical oxygen demand (COD),
total suspended solids (TSS) and pH were investigated and analyzed. Results from the several tests
showed that the banana fiber is capable to treat oil and grease. The percentage of oil and grease
decrease by 98%, while COD and TSS decreased by 57% and 73%, and pH increased by 27%
respectively.
Keywords: banana fiber filter, oil and grease removal, COD, TSS

Introduction
Food wastes, clogged with greasy and coloury sauce are most commonly found surrounding food
court, coffee shops and food stalls. Fat, oil and grease (FOG) are the main filthy wastewater pollutants
coming from these eatery areas. Some other FOG may originate from the discharge of industrial
activities such as palm oil mill effluent and automobile workshop which blockage of the sewer system
[1]. The situation worsens especially during busy period due to higher volume of these pollutants
which cause a higher biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Oil content, chemical oxygen demand
(COD) and colour are found to be high in oily wastewater [2]. The disposal of food waste, oils and
grease into sewer or drain either directly or indirectly will cause major problems to the environment
which can lead to flooding and pollution.
The removal of this oil and grease becomes very essential to protect aquatic environment.
Several methods of oil and grease separation have been studied by researchers including air flotation,
gravitational methods, chemical treatment, biological treatment, dissolved air flotation (DAF) and use
of membranes [3]. Coagulation-flocculation has also been investigated for pre-treatment of biodiesel
wastewater [4]. Other methods to remove oil and grease are skimming tanks, oil and grease traps and
interceptors [5]. Multi-level processing also suggested for treatment of oily wastewater to achieve
satisfactory results due to the complexity of oily wastewater [6]. Some other treatment system is a
modified bio-ecological system which is capable to removed chemical oxygen demand (COD),
ammonium (NH4–N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) [7].
One of the most effective methods of removing oil and grease from wastewater are adsorption and
many waste materials have been used as adsorbents. Among the materials used as adsorbents are
laterite column [5], activated carbon and clay [8], and grass [9]. The aim of this study was to
determine the efficiency of banana trunk fiber filter in removing oil and grease and improving the
COD, total suspended solids (TSS), and pH of the effluent.

Water Requirement
National water quality standards for Malaysia have given a guideline for river status as shown in
Table I [10]. It classifies the river status into Class I to Class V based on Water Quality Index (WQI).
The classification will determine the water quality status weather clean, slightly polluted or polluted.
Water Quality Index (WQI) is computed based on 6 main parameters as shown in Table II. The
parameters and its indication are further explained in Table III.