Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has invented a system that can turn palm oil waste into drinking water.
New Straits Times reports that Professor Abdul Latif Ahmad, dean of USM’s School of Chemical Engineering, has invented the “novel membrane-based treatment system" which turns palm oil mill effluents (POME) into clear drinking water.
The technology is friendly to the environment and should reduce water pollution by ensuring no discharge of palm oil waste into rivers.
Ahmad has been working on the project for 10 years with a RM500,000 (US140,000) grant from Yayasan Felda.
Ahmad told New Straits Times that the system would help in ensuring a sustainable development of the palm oil industry, as it emphasizes zero discharge.
The invention requires only four steps to treat the waste before it is clean enough to drink.
Source: New Straits Times