Center Enamel Provides Efficient USR Process for Sustainable Palm Oil Wastewater Treatment

The palm oil industry is one of the largest contributors to the global vegetable oil market, supporting millions of livelihoods across Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. However, the rapid growth of palm oil production comes with an environmental cost: high volumes of complex and heavily polluted wastewater. Known as Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), this wastewater is generated during the sterilization, clarification, and purification processes of palm oil extraction.

If not properly treated, POME can lead to severe water and soil pollution due to its high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and suspended solids. Traditional treatment methods are often slow, land-intensive, and inadequate for meeting modern environmental standards.

To address this urgent need for sustainable solutions, Shijiazhuang Zhengzhong Technology Co., Ltd. (Center Enamel) has introduced its advanced USR (Upflow Sludge Reactor) Process. As a global leader in wastewater treatment and a trusted supplier of wastewater treatment technologies, Center Enamel offers a robust and energy-efficient solution tailored specifically for palm oil wastewater treatment.

The USR Process: A Modern Solution for Industrial Wastewater

The USR (Upflow Sludge Reactor) is a high-rate anaerobic treatment system developed to handle high-strength organic wastewater efficiently. In this process, wastewater flows upward through a dense sludge bed composed of active anaerobic microorganisms that break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

This leads to several key advantages:

  • Effective removal of COD and BOD
  • Production of biogas (mainly methane and carbon dioxide)
  • Compact footprint compared to conventional treatment systems
  • Low sludge generation
  • Minimal energy consumption

In palm oil applications, where wastewater is warm and rich in biodegradable organics, the USR Process demonstrates particularly strong performance.

Center Enamel’s USR System Design for Palm Oil Wastewater Treatment

As a professional wastewater treatment solution provider, Center Enamel has refined its USR Process to suit the specific requirements of palm oil wastewater treatment. The system is modular, customizable, and easy to integrate into existing processing facilities.

Key Components of Center Enamel’s USR System:

Pre-treatment Units

  • Oil separator
  • Cooling system
  • Screening for solids and sand removal

USR Reactor

  • Central reaction zone containing highly active granular sludge
  • Upflow hydraulic design for maximum contact efficiency
  • Gas-liquid-solid (GLS) separator for phase separation

Biogas Collection and Storage

  • Sealed gas domes or floating roofs for methane capture
  • Biogas scrubber for desulfurization
  • Option to connect to gas generators or boilers

Post-treatment Units

  • Aerobic polishing (SBR or MBR)
  • Sludge dewatering systems
  • Disinfection or nutrient removal (as per discharge standards)

Key Advantages of the USR Process in Palm Oil Wastewater Treatment

1. High Treatment Efficiency

Center Enamel’s USR Process can achieve this performance, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent discharge regulations in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Nigeria.

2. Biogas Generation for Renewable Energy

POME is an ideal substrate for anaerobic digestion, providing:

  • On-site renewable energy for steam generation or electricity
  • Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions

This aligns with global sustainability frameworks such as the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3. Space-Efficient Design

The compact and vertical nature of the USR reactor minimizes land usage, critical for space-constrained palm oil mills or those located in sensitive ecosystems.

4. Lower Operational Costs

Thanks to its anaerobic nature, the USR Process:

Requires no aeration (reducing power use)

Produces less excess sludge (reducing disposal costs)

Minimizes chemical usage for pH control and coagulation

5. Robust Performance Under Variable Loads

POME characteristics can fluctuate significantly depending on the crop season or processing method. Center Enamel’s USR system is designed to tolerate hydraulic and organic shock loads, ensuring reliable year-round operation.

Sustainable Impact on the Palm Oil Industry

The deployment of USR technology offers far-reaching sustainability benefits:

  • Water Reuse: Treated water can be recycled for cooling, irrigation, or cleaning processes.
  • Resource Recovery: Valuable nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can be recovered downstream.
  • Carbon Credits: Biogas capture and fossil fuel replacement can be monetized through voluntary carbon markets.
  • Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Cleaner operations foster stronger relationships with local communities and regulators.

By embracing such advanced treatment processes, palm oil mills not only improve environmental performance but also enhance brand reputation and market competitiveness.

Center Enamel: A Trusted Name in USR Technology

With over 30 years of experience, Center Enamel has evolved into one of China’s leading wastewater treatment solution providers. Their USR systems have been implemented across 100+ countries, including markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

  • In-house Design & Engineering: Customized to every client’s wastewater profile.
  • Modular Fabrication: Easy logistics and rapid assembly on-site.
  • After-Sales Support: Includes operator training, spare parts, remote diagnostics, and 24/7 technical assistance.
  • Sustainable Manufacturing: Green production processes and recyclable tank materials.

Their strong international track record and commitment to innovation position them as the USR Process partner of choice for the global palm oil industry.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Palm Oil Wastewater Management

Center Enamel is actively investing in R&D to further enhance its wastewater solutions:

  • Hybrid Anaerobic-Membrane Systems: For ultra-low discharge limits.
  • Digital Twins & AI Monitoring: For predictive maintenance and optimization.
  • Containerized USR Modules: For remote and mobile applications.
  • Advanced Nutrient Recovery: To produce organic fertilizers from effluent.

By driving innovation and maintaining a strong customer focus, Center Enamel continues to redefine what’s possible in sustainable palm oil production.

The palm oil industry stands at a crossroads where environmental responsibility must walk hand in hand with economic growth. Through the advanced USR Process, Center Enamel offers palm oil producers a proven, efficient, and sustainable way to treat wastewater, generate renewable energy, and reduce operational costs.

Whether you're a plantation owner, mill operator, or sustainability officer, Center Enamel’s USR technology provides a future-ready solution for transforming waste into wealth, empowering the palm oil industry to thrive in a cleaner, greener world.