VALORIZATION OF PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENTS FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA; A REVIEW OF PROCESS PARAMETERS, REACTION PATHWAYS AND APPLICATION OF PRODUCTS

Abstract

Nigeria need to leverage on the strength of being the fifth largest producer of palm oil in the world to solve lingering energy problem and approach the use of zero waste technology and generate renewable energy. There are more than five wastes which can be generated from palm tree, among these wastes, there is palm oil mill effluent (POME) which usually not seen important and has ability to generate biogas for commercial use. The use of POME for anaerobic digestion (AD) allows proper waste management through controlling pollution/waste accumulation and converting organic matter into higher-value products of biogas production. The proper use of POME will disallow usual approach of disposing the palm oil mill effluent to the surrounding and water bodies which is characterized with high human and environmental threats. The review centers on valorizing palm oil mill effluent and it proper managements which can be used for biogas production.