Investigate the Relation between Particle Size Distribution (PSD) Using Image Analysis Method and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) In POME Sample

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (“after this will be mentioned as POME”) is generated as by-product during clarification and purification process to produce Crude Palm Oil (CPO). POME is a by-product which contains harmful organic soluble material if released to the environment and; therefore, it need to be treated first before discharged to the environment. Chemical Oxygen Demand (“after this will be mentioned as COD”) represents total organic solvent in the wastewater and also amount of oxygen needed by the microorganism to oxidize the organic carbon completely to carbon dioxide, water and ammonia. Particle Size Distribution (“after this will be mentioned as PSD”) generally will affect the settling velocity, rate of sedimentation, flocculation, coagulation and absorption of organic compound. Thus, biological degradation rate in term of COD reduction is also influenced by PSD. To observe the particle size, bright field microscopy is used to acquire the image of particle size under light microscopy, and later the image will be analysed using Matlab 7.3 in order to extract all the image parameters needed. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential of PSD in the POME influent and effluent, investigate the relation between PSD and COD in order to determine COD for fast assessment for the wastewater fractions in term of biodegradability. In this research, two sample of POME will be obtained which are fresh POME collected from FELCRA Nasaruddin and effluent POME collected from environment analysis laboratory after it undergo wastewater treatment. Next, the COD will be obtained using Reactor Digestion Method-DR5000 according to method proposed by HACH Solution. In order to get the PSD, the image capture under light microscopy and processes using Matlab7.3. By conducting this research, image analysis algorithm can be developed in monitor the particle size, and the relation between PSD and COD can be observed.