4. Conclusion
The SBR is an effective process for the post-treatment of
anaerobically digested POME, which can achieve appreciable COD,
BOD and TSS removal. This study reveals that the COD, BOD and TSS
removal efficiencies are ranging from 91 to 96%, 92e99% and
94e99%, respectively. The relatively high performance of the
SBR were found to be attributed to several factors, which include
(i) appropriate acclimatization of the biomass during the start-up
period, (ii) adequate retention of MLVSS concentration (population
of microorganism) which contributes to high COD and BOD
removal efficiencies and (iii) development of good settling activated
sludge floc which contributes to high TSS removal
efficiencies.