Rotary Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR) using microalgae Chlorella sp. for tofu wastewater treatment
Shinta Elystia, Fakhriyah Hanifa Mazaya Nasution, Aryo Sasmita
Abstract
Indonesia was known to be dominated by the household-scale tofu industry, with limited funds to treat the tofu wastewater produced. Therefore, the producers choose to directly discharge the tofu wastewater to a ditch or other water body without appropriate treatment. Tofu wastewater can pollute the aquatic environment due to its content, consisting of organic compounds and high nutrients. Utilization of tofu wastewater as a source of nutrients to support the growth of microorganisms such as the microalgae (Chlorella sp.) can be an alternative to the problem of tofu wastewater using Rotary Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR) technology. This study aims to determine the growth rate of microalgae and the removal of COD and NH3 parameters by cultivating Chlorella sp. On a medium with various treatments of tofu wastewater concentration, namely 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, and contact time within (0, 1, 3, and 5 days). The results showed that in the treatment of 40% tofu wastewater concentration on day 5, the highest COD and NH3 removal efficiencies were 75.88% and 80.45%, respectively, with the total density of suspended and attached cells of Chlorella sp. of 3.99 × 106 cells/mL.