Optimization of Catalyst Addition and Temperature on Biosurfactant from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches for Oily Produced Water Remediation

Abstract

Oil drilling operations generate water containing hazardous substances, including O&G, COD, and ammonia. Biosurfactants derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) have been shown to reduce surface tension, facilitate oil water separation, and enhance the biodegradation of contaminants. Research indicates that the addition of an NaOH catalyst at concentrations ranging from 20% to 30% significantly decreases the O&G, with the most substantial reduction observed at a 20% catalyst concentration. However, increasing the catalyst concentration resulted in increase levels of COD (3%–35%) and ammonia (48%– 88%). A temperature of 80°C, in conjunction with a surfactant dose of 6% and NaOH concentrations of 20–30%, yielded the most effective reduction of O&G and COD. Conversely, higher temperatures (100°C) lead to increased COD and ammonia levels owing to biosurfactant degradation. The Freundlich model accurately describes the adsorption of ammonia, O&G, and COD, demonstrating a strong correlation between the predicted and actual data, with no significant differences as per ANOVA testing.

Aktivitas pengeboran minyak menghasilkan air terproduksi yang mengandung senyawa berbahaya seperti minyak dan lemak, COD, dan amonia. Biosurfaktan yang diproduksi dari OPEFB dapat mengurangi tegangan permukaan, memfasilitasi pemisahan minyak dan air, serta meningkatkan biodegradasi kontaminan. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan NaOH katalis pada konsentrasi 20%- 30% mengurangi minyak secara signifikan, dengan penurunan terbesar pada 20% katalis. Namun, peningkatan katalis meningkatkan COD (3%-35%) dan amonia (48%-88%). Suhu 80°C dengan dosis surfaktan 6% dan NaOH 20%-30% menghasilkan pengurangan minyak dan COD terbaik, meskipun suhu lebih tinggi (100°C) meningkatkan COD dan amonia akibat degradasi biosurfaktan. Model Freundlich terbukti efektif memodelkan adsorpsi amonia, minyak dan lemak, dan COD, dengan korelasi yang kuat antara data prediksi dan aktual, dan tidak ada perbedaan signifikan menurut uji ANOVA.