Biogas Production Using Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Utilizing Mesophilic Bacteria
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Keywords:
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Biodigester, Fermentor, Biogas, Methane, Anaerobic, Mesophilic
Abstract
Energy is essential for human life, yet dependence on fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources contributes to global energy crises and environmental degradation. Biogas is an environmentally friendly alternative that has the potential to partially replace fossil fuels. Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), which contains high concentrations of biodegradable organic matter, is a promising substrate for biogas production through anaerobic fermentation. This study aims to evaluate the potential of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) as a substrate for biogas production using a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) under mesophilic conditions (35–37oC). The experiment was conducted for 30 days with at a laboratory scale (10 L reactor volume). Feedstock characterization (COD, TSS, TS, VS, and pH) confirmed that POME has high organic content and slightly acidic conditions, supporting its suitability for anaerobic digestion. The results show that anaerobic fermentation of POME produced biogas with an average methane (CH4) concentration of 66–71%, indicating stable digestion performance and relatively high efficiency. These methane levels indicate stable digestion performance and relatively high process efficiency. Overall, the findings confirm that POME is a promising feedstock for biogas production and can contribute to renewable, environmentally friendly energy supply.
References
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Chen, L., R.-G. Cong, B. Shu, and Z.-F. Mi (2017). A Sustainable Biogas Model in China: The Case Study of Beijing Deqingyuan Biogas Project. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 78; 773–779
Chow, W. L., S. Chong, J. W. Lim, Y. J. Chan, M. F. Chong, T. J. Tiong, J. K. Chin, and G.-T. Pan (2020). Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Wastewater Sludge: A Review of Potential Co-Substrates and Operating Factors for Improved Methane Yield. Processes, 8(1); 39
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Hamzah, M. A. F., P. M. Abdul, S. S. Mahmod, A. M. Azahar, and J. M. Jahim (2020). Performance of Anaerobic Digestion of Acidified Palm Oil Mill Effluent under Various Organic Loading Rates and Temperatures. Water, 12(9); 2432
Hoo, P. Y., P. Patrizio, S. Leduc, H. Hashim, F. Kraxner, S. T. Tan, and W. S. Ho (2017). Optimal Biomethane Injection into Natural Gas Grid-Biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (pome) in Malaysia. Energy Procedia, 105; 562–569
Irvan, B. Trisakti, F. Batubara, and H. Daimon (2018). The Minimum Requirements for Nickel and Cobalt as Trace Metals in Thermophilic Biogas Fermentation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 34(3); 1278
Irvan, B. Trisakti, T. Husaini, A. Sitio, and T. B. Sitorus (2017). Performance Evaluation on Otto Engine Generator Using Gasoline and Biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluent. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 206. IOP Publishing, page 012028
Isa, M. H., L.-P. Wong, M. J. Bashir, N. Shafiq, S. R. M. Kutty, I. H. Farooqi, and H. C. Lee (2020). Improved Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Biogas Production by Ultrasonication Pretreatment. Science of the Total Environment, 722; 137833
Jumadi, J., A. Kamari, N. A. Rahim, N. Yusof, I. W. Sutapa, and S. Sunardi (2024). Ferrihydrite-Chitosan Nanocomposite As a Recyclable Flocculant for Palm Oil Mill Effluent. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences and Engineering), 86(2); 169–182
Kacaribu, A. A., Y. Aisyah, Febriani, and Darwin (2025). Development of Wastewater Treatment Methods for Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): A Comprehensive Review. Resources Chemicals and Materials, 4; 100130
Kainthola, J., A. S. Kalamdhad, and V. V. Goud (2019). A Review on Enhanced Biogas Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass by Different Enhancement Techniques. Process Biochemistry, 84; 81–90
Khemkhao, M., S. Techkarnjanaruk, and C. Phalakornkule (2015). Simultaneous Treatment of Raw Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Biodegradation of Palm Fiber in a High-Rate Cstr. Bioresource Technology, 177; 17–27
Krishnan, S., L. Singh, M. Sakinah, S. Thakur, Z. A. Wahid, and M. Alkasrawi (2016). Process Enhancement of Hydrogen and Methane Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Two-Stage Thermophilic and Mesophilic Fermentation. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41(30); 12888–12898
Liew, Z. K., Y. J. Chan, Z. T. Ho, Y. H. Yip, M. C. Teng, S. Chong, P. L. Show, C. L. Chew, et al. (2021). Biogas Production Enhancement by Co-Digestion of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) with Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): Performance and Kinetic Evaluation. Renewable Energy, 179; 766–777
Mahmod, S. S., A. M. Azahar, A. A. I. Luthfi, P. M. Abdul, M. S. Mastar, N. Anuar, M. S. Takriff, and J. M. Jahim (2020). Potential Utilisation of Dark-Fermented Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Continuous Production of Biomethane by Self-Granulated Mixed Culture. Scientific Reports, 10(1); 9167
Mondamina, N. W., D. Rachmat, and M. W. T. Laksono (2020). Alternative Scenarios to Utilise Excess Biogas in Palm Oil Mill. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 4(2); 48–54
Parsaee, M., M. K. D. Kiani, and K. Karimi (2019). A Review of Biogas Production from Sugarcane Vinasse. Biomass and Bioenergy, 122; 117–125
Poh, P. E. and M. F. Chong (2010). Biomethanation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) with a Thermophilic Mixed Culture Cultivated Using POME As a Substrate. Chemical Engineering Journal, 164(1); 146–154
Poh, P. E., W.-J. Yong, and M. F. Chong (2010). Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Characteristic in High Crop Season and the Applicability of High-Rate Anaerobic Bioreactors for the Treatment of POME. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 49(22); 11732–11740
Rasouli, M. and B. Ataeiyan (2024). Investigation and Optimization of Operational Conditions of Anaerobic Digestion Process for Enhanced Biogas Production Yield in a CSTR Using RSM. International Journal of Energy Research, (1); 1–10
Ratana-tamskul, C., G. Onnum, and K. Yamamoto (2014). A Prototype Single-Stage Anaerobic Digester for Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sewage Sludge from High-Rise Building for On-Site Biogas Production. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 95; 176–180
Said, M., M. Ba-Abbad, S. R. S. Abdullah, and A. W. Mohammad (2019). Box Behken Design for Optimization of Cod Removal from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Using Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 3(1); 39–46
Sani, K., P. Kongjan, C. Pakhathirathien, B. Cheirsilp, S. OThong, M. Raketh, R. Kana, and R. Jariyaboon (2021). Effectiveness of Using Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion to Recover Bio-Energy from High Strength Palm Oil Mill Effluents with Simultaneous Treatment. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 39; 101661
Scamardellaa, D., C. De Crescenzoa, A. Marzocchellaa, A. Molinob, S. Chianesea, V. Savastanoc, R. Tralicec, D. Karatzaa, and D. Musmarraa (2019). Simulation and Optimization of Pressurized Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Upgrading Using Aspen Plus. Chemical Engineering, 76; 55–60
Sidabutar, R., B. Trisakti, A. Husin, and Irvan (2020). Effect of Recycle Ratio on Methanogenic Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) in a Stirred Tank Reactor Assisted by Ultrafiltration Membrane into Biogas in Transition Conditions. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 801. IOP Publishing, pages 1–8
Trisakti, B., Irvan, Mahdalena, Taslim, and M. Turmuzi (2017). Effect of Temperature on Methanogenesis Stage of Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) into Biogas. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 206. IOP Publishing, page 012027
Trisakti, B., V. Manalu, I. Taslim, and M. Turmuzi (2015). Acidogenesis of Palm Oil Mill Effluent to Produce Biogas: Effect of Hydraulic Retention Time and Ph. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195; 2466–2474
Trisakti, B., D. B. Sitompul, and Irvan (2021). Stabilitas Digester Anaerobik Satu Tahap dalam Produksi Biogas pada Variasi Temperatur Menggunakan Reaktor Batch. Jurnal Teknik Kimia USU, 10(1); 25–30
Valentino, F., G. Moretto, M. Gottardo, P. Pavan, D. Bolzonella, and M. Majone (2019). Novel Routes for Urban Bio-Waste Management: A Combined Acidic Fermentation and Anaerobic Digestion Process for Platform Chemicals and Biogas Production. Journal of Cleaner Production, 220; 368–375
Vanegas, A. A. R., J. V´asquez, F. Molina, and M. P. Vasquez (2024). Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Using Different Sludges as Inoculum. Water Resources and Industry, 31; 100247
Wang, J., Q. Mahmood, J.-P. Qiu, Y.-S. Li, Y.-S. Chang, and X.-D. Li (2015). Anaerobic Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Pilot-Scale Anaerobic EGSB Reactor. BioMed Research International, (1); 398028
Xue, S., Y. Wang, X. Lyu, N. Zhao, J. Song, X. Wang, and G. Yang (2020). Interactive Effects of Carbohydrate, Lipid, Protein Composition and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio on Biogas Production of Different Food Wastes. Bioresource Technology, 312; 123566
Yong, Z., Y. Dong, X. Zhang, and T. Tan (2015). Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Straw for Biogas Production. Renewable Energy, 78; 527–530
Yusof, M. A. M. (2024). Performance Optimization of Industrial Scale In-Ground Lagoon Anaerobic Digester for Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment. Ph.D. thesis, University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)
Zhang, Y., X. Bai, F. P. Mills, and J. C. Pezzey (2018). Rethinking the Role of Occupant Behavior in Building Energy Performance: A Review. Energy and Buildings, 172; 279–294
Barua, V. B. and A. S. Kalamdhad (2019). Biogas Production from Water Hyacinth in a Novel Anaerobic Digester: A Continuous Study. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 127; 82–89
Begum, S., S. Juntupally, G. R. Anupoju, and N. Eshtiaghi (2020). Comparison of Mesophilic and Thermophilic Methane Production Potential of Acids Rich and High-Strength Landfill Leachate at Different Initial Organic Loadings and Food to Inoculum Ratios. Science of the Total Environment, 715; 136658
Chen, L., R.-G. Cong, B. Shu, and Z.-F. Mi (2017). A Sustainable Biogas Model in China: The Case Study of Beijing Deqingyuan Biogas Project. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 78; 773–779
Chow, W. L., S. Chong, J. W. Lim, Y. J. Chan, M. F. Chong, T. J. Tiong, J. K. Chin, and G.-T. Pan (2020). Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Wastewater Sludge: A Review of Potential Co-Substrates and Operating Factors for Improved Methane Yield. Processes, 8(1); 39
Hambali, E. and M. Rivai (2017). The Potential of Palm Oil Waste Biomass in Indonesia in 2020 and 2030. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, volume 65. IOP Publishing, page 012050
Hamzah, M. A. F., P. M. Abdul, S. S. Mahmod, A. M. Azahar, and J. M. Jahim (2020). Performance of Anaerobic Digestion of Acidified Palm Oil Mill Effluent under Various Organic Loading Rates and Temperatures. Water, 12(9); 2432
Hoo, P. Y., P. Patrizio, S. Leduc, H. Hashim, F. Kraxner, S. T. Tan, and W. S. Ho (2017). Optimal Biomethane Injection into Natural Gas Grid-Biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (pome) in Malaysia. Energy Procedia, 105; 562–569
Irvan, B. Trisakti, F. Batubara, and H. Daimon (2018). The Minimum Requirements for Nickel and Cobalt as Trace Metals in Thermophilic Biogas Fermentation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 34(3); 1278
Irvan, B. Trisakti, T. Husaini, A. Sitio, and T. B. Sitorus (2017). Performance Evaluation on Otto Engine Generator Using Gasoline and Biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluent. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 206. IOP Publishing, page 012028
Isa, M. H., L.-P. Wong, M. J. Bashir, N. Shafiq, S. R. M. Kutty, I. H. Farooqi, and H. C. Lee (2020). Improved Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Biogas Production by Ultrasonication Pretreatment. Science of the Total Environment, 722; 137833
Jumadi, J., A. Kamari, N. A. Rahim, N. Yusof, I. W. Sutapa, and S. Sunardi (2024). Ferrihydrite-Chitosan Nanocomposite As a Recyclable Flocculant for Palm Oil Mill Effluent. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences and Engineering), 86(2); 169–182
Kacaribu, A. A., Y. Aisyah, Febriani, and Darwin (2025). Development of Wastewater Treatment Methods for Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): A Comprehensive Review. Resources Chemicals and Materials, 4; 100130
Kainthola, J., A. S. Kalamdhad, and V. V. Goud (2019). A Review on Enhanced Biogas Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass by Different Enhancement Techniques. Process Biochemistry, 84; 81–90
Khemkhao, M., S. Techkarnjanaruk, and C. Phalakornkule (2015). Simultaneous Treatment of Raw Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Biodegradation of Palm Fiber in a High-Rate Cstr. Bioresource Technology, 177; 17–27
Krishnan, S., L. Singh, M. Sakinah, S. Thakur, Z. A. Wahid, and M. Alkasrawi (2016). Process Enhancement of Hydrogen and Methane Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Two-Stage Thermophilic and Mesophilic Fermentation. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41(30); 12888–12898
Liew, Z. K., Y. J. Chan, Z. T. Ho, Y. H. Yip, M. C. Teng, S. Chong, P. L. Show, C. L. Chew, et al. (2021). Biogas Production Enhancement by Co-Digestion of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) with Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): Performance and Kinetic Evaluation. Renewable Energy, 179; 766–777
Mahmod, S. S., A. M. Azahar, A. A. I. Luthfi, P. M. Abdul, M. S. Mastar, N. Anuar, M. S. Takriff, and J. M. Jahim (2020). Potential Utilisation of Dark-Fermented Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Continuous Production of Biomethane by Self-Granulated Mixed Culture. Scientific Reports, 10(1); 9167
Mondamina, N. W., D. Rachmat, and M. W. T. Laksono (2020). Alternative Scenarios to Utilise Excess Biogas in Palm Oil Mill. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 4(2); 48–54
Parsaee, M., M. K. D. Kiani, and K. Karimi (2019). A Review of Biogas Production from Sugarcane Vinasse. Biomass and Bioenergy, 122; 117–125
Poh, P. E. and M. F. Chong (2010). Biomethanation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) with a Thermophilic Mixed Culture Cultivated Using POME As a Substrate. Chemical Engineering Journal, 164(1); 146–154
Poh, P. E., W.-J. Yong, and M. F. Chong (2010). Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Characteristic in High Crop Season and the Applicability of High-Rate Anaerobic Bioreactors for the Treatment of POME. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 49(22); 11732–11740
Rasouli, M. and B. Ataeiyan (2024). Investigation and Optimization of Operational Conditions of Anaerobic Digestion Process for Enhanced Biogas Production Yield in a CSTR Using RSM. International Journal of Energy Research, (1); 1–10
Ratana-tamskul, C., G. Onnum, and K. Yamamoto (2014). A Prototype Single-Stage Anaerobic Digester for Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sewage Sludge from High-Rise Building for On-Site Biogas Production. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 95; 176–180
Said, M., M. Ba-Abbad, S. R. S. Abdullah, and A. W. Mohammad (2019). Box Behken Design for Optimization of Cod Removal from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Using Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 3(1); 39–46
Sani, K., P. Kongjan, C. Pakhathirathien, B. Cheirsilp, S. OThong, M. Raketh, R. Kana, and R. Jariyaboon (2021). Effectiveness of Using Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion to Recover Bio-Energy from High Strength Palm Oil Mill Effluents with Simultaneous Treatment. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 39; 101661
Scamardellaa, D., C. De Crescenzoa, A. Marzocchellaa, A. Molinob, S. Chianesea, V. Savastanoc, R. Tralicec, D. Karatzaa, and D. Musmarraa (2019). Simulation and Optimization of Pressurized Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Upgrading Using Aspen Plus. Chemical Engineering, 76; 55–60
Sidabutar, R., B. Trisakti, A. Husin, and Irvan (2020). Effect of Recycle Ratio on Methanogenic Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) in a Stirred Tank Reactor Assisted by Ultrafiltration Membrane into Biogas in Transition Conditions. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 801. IOP Publishing, pages 1–8
Trisakti, B., Irvan, Mahdalena, Taslim, and M. Turmuzi (2017). Effect of Temperature on Methanogenesis Stage of Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) into Biogas. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, volume 206. IOP Publishing, page 012027
Trisakti, B., V. Manalu, I. Taslim, and M. Turmuzi (2015). Acidogenesis of Palm Oil Mill Effluent to Produce Biogas: Effect of Hydraulic Retention Time and Ph. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195; 2466–2474
Trisakti, B., D. B. Sitompul, and Irvan (2021). Stabilitas Digester Anaerobik Satu Tahap dalam Produksi Biogas pada Variasi Temperatur Menggunakan Reaktor Batch. Jurnal Teknik Kimia USU, 10(1); 25–30
Valentino, F., G. Moretto, M. Gottardo, P. Pavan, D. Bolzonella, and M. Majone (2019). Novel Routes for Urban Bio-Waste Management: A Combined Acidic Fermentation and Anaerobic Digestion Process for Platform Chemicals and Biogas Production. Journal of Cleaner Production, 220; 368–375
Vanegas, A. A. R., J. V´asquez, F. Molina, and M. P. Vasquez (2024). Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Using Different Sludges as Inoculum. Water Resources and Industry, 31; 100247
Wang, J., Q. Mahmood, J.-P. Qiu, Y.-S. Li, Y.-S. Chang, and X.-D. Li (2015). Anaerobic Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Pilot-Scale Anaerobic EGSB Reactor. BioMed Research International, (1); 398028
Xue, S., Y. Wang, X. Lyu, N. Zhao, J. Song, X. Wang, and G. Yang (2020). Interactive Effects of Carbohydrate, Lipid, Protein Composition and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio on Biogas Production of Different Food Wastes. Bioresource Technology, 312; 123566
Yong, Z., Y. Dong, X. Zhang, and T. Tan (2015). Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Straw for Biogas Production. Renewable Energy, 78; 527–530
Yusof, M. A. M. (2024). Performance Optimization of Industrial Scale In-Ground Lagoon Anaerobic Digester for Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment. Ph.D. thesis, University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)
Zhang, Y., X. Bai, F. P. Mills, and J. C. Pezzey (2018). Rethinking the Role of Occupant Behavior in Building Energy Performance: A Review. Energy and Buildings, 172; 279–294
Authors
Afrianti, S., & Zainal, E. . (2025). Biogas Production Using Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Utilizing Mesophilic Bacteria. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 9(4), 192-198. https://doi.org/10.26554/ijems.2025.9.4.192-198
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