Browsing by Author "Rathnasiri, PG"

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item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Adsorption and desorption studies of heavy metals on to coconut shell char
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Abesekara, MS; Kosvinna, KNR; Amarasinghe, BMWPK; Rathnasiri, PG
Heavy metals in wastewater can be removed by several methods including adsorption. Activated carbon (AC) is widely used, but expensive adsorbent. Since AC derived from coconut shell (CS) is a good adsorbent, coconut shell char (CSC) as well might be an effective low-cost adsorbent. It was studied the possibilities of using CSC as an adsorbent. Results showed that, CSC has 13% and 12% removal efficiencies for Zn2+ and Ni2+ from solutions of 50 mg/l. Furthermore, desorption abilities of H2SO4, NaOH, Distilled water and NaCl as desorbing agents were analysed and found H2SO4 to be the most effective desorbing agent.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Advance oxidation of high strength wastewaters as a suppleme~tary treatment option for enhanced biological treatment
(2007) Raamshangar, K; Wijeyekoon, SLJ; Rathnasiri, PG
High organic strength wastewaters from food industry, distilleries, breweries etc. are conventionally treated by anaerobic digestion due to low sludge production, derivation of biogas and low operating costs. However anaerobic process is extremely slow and hence requires large space and therefore capital cost intensive. On the other hand, aerobic treatment is rapid, efficient with stable end products yet the considerable sludge formation is a major disadvantage. Chemical oxidation is extremely rapid, easy to control and able to oxidize non bio degradable substances but its widespread application is restricted primarily due to cost consideration. Therefore an integrated approach to high strength wastewater treatment by taking advantage of the merits of anaerobic, aerobic and chemical oxidation is an attractive option to develop a sustainable, efficient, intensive and rapid treatment technology for the treatment of high strength industrial effluents.
item: Article-Full-text
Agricultural biomass-based power generation potential in Sri Lanka: A techno-economic analysis
(MDPI, 2022) Illankoon, WAMAN; Milanese, C; Girella, A; Rathnasiri, PG; Sudesh, KHM; Llamas, MM; Collivignarelli, MC; Sorlini, S
Worldwide energy costs have grown in recent years due to the dwindling global fossil fuel resources and the increased reliance on them for global energy production. This is a common scenario in many nations, including Sri Lanka. As a developing country, Sri Lanka should encourage the diversification of its renewable energy supplies using locally available resources. In this regard, Sri Lanka can promote the use of agricultural residues for energy generation. The present work explores the energy potential of the solid waste generated by the rice industry: rice straw (RS) and rice husk (RH). A new approach was developed using statistical data on rice production and paddy cultivation in each district of the island. The obtained data were integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) to provide geo-referenced results. A physico-chemical characterization of the RS and RH was conducted to correlate the properties of raw materials to their potential energy generation. As an energy generation technology, the grate-fired combustion boiler accompanied by steam turbine cycle (GFC/ST) was selected. Our findings show that the total energy capacity using by-products of the rice industry is estimated to be 2129.24 ktoe/year of primary energy, with a capacity of 977 Mwe, producing 5.65 TWh of electricity annually. An economic analysis shows ten districts have a high profit index (PI > 1). The districts with the highest PI values are Anuradhapura, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and Kurunegala, with annual energy potentials of 286 ktoe, 279 ktoe, 231 ktoe, and 160 ktoe, respectively. This work aims to aid future policy decisions by identifying potential districts in which to develop infrastructure for energy generation using agricultural waste, thus reducing net greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Applicability of chitosan for the removal of fat from coconut milk-based wastewater
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Peiris, ATDN; Sanjeewa, GIN; Gunawardena, SHP; Rathnasiri, PG
Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the possibility of using Chitosan, a bio polymer for the removal of fat originated from coconut milk. Identification of optimum parametric conditions for fat adsorptivity was conducted using a synthetic wastewater prepared from commercially available coconut milk. Chitosan powder was made into beads to avoid interferences in taking spectrophotometric readings. Experimental results indicated that chitosan is a potential substance to be used in this context.
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Assessment of sustainable energy potential of non-plantation biomass resources in Sri Lanka
(Elsevier, 2005) Perera, KKCK; Rathnasiri, PG; Senarath, SAS; Sugathapala, AGT; Bhattacharya, SC; Abdul Salam, P
This paper discusses the importance of biomass as a source of energy in Sri Lanka and assesses the sustainable national non-plantation biomass resource potential. Different biomass sources, both direct and indirect, are considered in the analysis. The direct sources include agricultural and wood residues, animal manure, municipal solid waste and wastewater. The indirect sources include fuelwood conservation through efficiency improvements and fuelwood savings through fuel switching. The potential of each source is estimated for the base year 1997 as well as for the years 2005 and 2010. The total energy potential of these sources in 1997, 2005 and 2010 is 120 PJ, 133 PJ and 142 PJ, respectively. The corresponding electricity generation potentials are 8.34, 9.24 and 9.85 TWh, respectively for a conversion efficiency of 25%. The annual electricity demand in Sri Lanka 1997 was 4.20TWh and the forecast values for the years 2005 and 2010 are 10.50 and 15.60TWh respectively; this implies that the biomass sources could contribute significantly towards meeting the future electricity requirement.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Biomass gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Dodawatta, DVBK; Indula, UD; Maddumage, MDRS; Wijesekere, GAT; Narayana, M; Rathnasiri, PG
The effect of secondary air flow rate and particle size on the combustion temperature inside the bubbling fluidized bed reactor was reviewed. The experiments were carried out for four particle sizes with varied secondary air flow rates. From the results it was evident that the secondary air flow rate has a larger impact on the temperature of the freeboard zone. The temperature profiles show that a maximum temperature is achievable when the magnitude of the secondary air flow rate is lower than that of the primary air flow rate. It was concluded that desired maximum temperature can be achieved regardless of the particle size through the optimum secondary air flow rates for each particle size.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Biomass torrefaction for cofiring in coal power plant
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Karunathilaka, SASAL; Ratnayake, RMKGJ; Rathnasiri, PG
Torrifaction is a thermochemical process used to enhance the energy content of biomass. This study is based on torrefaction of wood materials with different qualities. The suitable ranges of temperatures for torrefaction were evaluated using TGA analysis. Type of biomass, temperature residence time for torrefaction plays a vital role in an effective torrefaction process. The torrefaction process is then carried out according to the results obtained via TGA analysis to obtain an efficient torrefaction process.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Carbonization of urban bio waste in Sri Lanka
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Bandara, AMHS; Gunathilaka, T; Pieirs, KCA; Narayana, M; Rathnasiri, PG
The research scope was set to study the compatibility of applying torrefaction for bio-waste of Sri Lanka. For this purpose, it was decided to analyze the before and after torrefaction properties of a sample with Sri Lankan municipal solid bio waste composition; with the use of ultimate and proximate analysis. A laboratory scale reactor was made to undertake the conventional torrefaction process with N2 purging. Heat was supplied for the reactor using a 3 kW heating coil and insulations were made around the reactor to minimize the heat loss during the torrefaction. The reactor temperature was controlled to maintain at desired temperature with a maximum of 350OC using LabVIEW software.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
ChemECon 2020 – Solutions Worth Spreading (Pre Text)
(Department of Chemical & Process Engineering University of Moratuwa, 2020-03) Rathnasiri, PG
item: Thesis-Full-text
Development of a computational model for biofilm based microbial fuel cell
(2016-09-15) Marapana, NMNC; Rathnasiri, PG
Studies on Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) as Power production units are of increasing interest, because it can convert a variety of bio-degradable organic compounds into electricity. In a MFC; biological, chemical and electro-chemical reactions take place resulting in a change of concentration of substrate, suspended solids and growth of a biofilm leading to a production of an electrical current. In this study a dynamic mathematical model is developed that represents the behavior of microbial fuel cell using set of derived equations those describe the consumption of substrate by microorganisms, production of oxidized mediators using reduced mediators, growth of microorganisms in the bulk liquid and the biofilm attached to the anode and production of current at the electrode surface. The system consists of a bulk liquid with suspended cells and the anode with an attached biofilm. Performance of a MFC is evaluated by analyzing the variation of production of current with time, variation of concentration of components (microorganisms, substrate, oxidized mediator and reduced mediator) in the bulk liquid with time and variation of concentration of mediators at the electrode surface with time in various combinations of selected operating parameters (reaction rate, exchange current density and total cell resistance). It was found that, higher the reaction rate the production of current by the fuel cell is high. At the same time, reaching of maximum current production is rapid in the systems simulated with high reaction rates compared to that of the others. On the other hand, high exchange current density values give relatively low current production from the cell where the low exchange current densities give somewhat high current production. Variation of total cell resistance affects in a similar manner on current production. That is, when the cell is simulated with high cell resistance values, the production of current is low. But, the current production sustain for a rather long period.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Development of a PFD for a nanolubricant based on Ceylon vein graphite
Wagaarachchige, JD; Rathnasiri, PG; De Alwis, A
The thesis presented the information on Sri Lankan natural vein graphite resource, world nanotechnological approaches in tribology and the connection between nanotechnology, tribology and Sri Lankan vein graphite. Along with the case study on chronological timeline of vein graphite, exploitation started in 1829, peaks at 1916 and has been dropped down since 1917. Considerable damage for graphite resource of Sri Lanka has happened in British colonial era. The market analysis of graphite export industry in Sri Lanka indicates several reasons for decline of graphite export market. The potential of graphite based industries are broad due to its versatile properties without any processing. With the discovery of graphene the importance of graphite moves to a new era of advancement in applications. Therefore Sri Lankan vein Graphite should not be supply to outside of the country without value addition. Need to come*up local investor and technologists to start new graphite era. In nanotechnology, tribology using nanometerials is a burgeoning research field and there are few nanolubricant products in the market. Information on world tribological approaches on nonmaterial is reviewed. Carbon, Metal dichalcogenides, soft metals, boron based materials and some micelles and encapsulated materials are under exploration of advance tribology. Further to the lab identifications and literature reviews reflected the potential of nano* engineered lubricant using natural vein graphite. PFD for vein graphite based nanolubricant is presented with some optimization options and advanced techniques as the recommendation for future work.
item: Conference-Abstract
Development of an enzymatic hydrolysis pre-treatment strategy to improve batch anaerobic digestion of wastewater generated in desiccated coconut processing plants
Samarasiri, BKT; Rathnasiri, PG; Fernando, EDR
Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate biochemical reactions involved in biological treatment of wastewater. Commercially processed enzymes such as lipases improve the biodegradation by accelerating the hydrolysis rate of lipids. In this study, wastewater produced in desiccated coconut processing plants was pre-treated with a commercial lipase extracted from porcine pancreas followed by anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion was conducted using twenty four identical 50 ml anaerobic batch reactors for 60 days at ambient temperature of 31±1ᵒC and pressure of 0.997±0.002atm without any mixing in reactor bulk liquid. The wastewater generated in desiccated coconut processing plants consists of high concentrations of medium chain saturated triglycerides. These triglycerides hydrolyzed quickly as the enzyme was added during enzymatic pre-treatment, resulting higher initial biogas production rate in the beginning and a higher daily biogas production rate during first 10 days. The initial and daily biogas production rate throughout the first 10 days of the pH adjusted samples showed higher biogas production rate than pH not adjusted samples as it was the most favorable pH value for the optimal growth of the methanogens and it also performed alkaline chemical hydrolysis of lipids in the beginning. After 60 days of complete degradation, the cumulative biogas production and percentage of VS reduction were almost similar in every reactor showing that the inhibition caused by lipids is a temporary inhibition but the rate of the reaction can be accelerated by enzyme addition, initial pH adjustment and maintaining a proper substrate to inoculum ratio. Bio-methane yield increased when the amount of substrate was increased as the quantity of hydrolyzed triglycerides available for the anaerobic microorganisms to convert into methane gas was higher. The bio-methane yield of enzyme added reactors were higher than enzyme not added samples because enzymes accelerated the hydrolysis of lipids. Among all 24 anaerobic reactors, the highest initial biogas production rate of 25.43 ml/day was observed in the reactor with highest lipase addition of 0.1% at inoculum to substrate ratio (v/v) of 2:3 under pH adjusted into 7.0 in wastewater in the beginning. The highest average biogas production during the first 10 days of 7.16 ml/day was also observed in the similar reactor. After 60 days of complete degradation, for the same reactor, cumulative biogas production of 95 ml, cumulative methane production of 81.55 ml, percentage of volatile solid reduction of 67.68% and experimental bio-methane yield of 42.75 ml CH4/g VS substrate added were also achieved.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Development of new hybrid adsorption coagulation method for palm oil mill wastewater treatment
(2015-10-19) Asdullah; Rathnasiri, PG
Activated carbon has been using as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment for decades. It has also been reported that use of fly ash to adsorb impurities in waste water treatment .The main objective of this study is to optimize hybrid adsorption-coagulation method for removal of color, BOD, COD, TDS, TSS and Turbiditypresence in palm oil mill effluent (POME).Mango pit is a natural environmental friendly coagulant and have many advantages over commercially available aluminum and ferric salts used for water and wastewater treatment. Fly ash has the proficiency to be recycled and used various times. This study further investigates the combination of fly ash with mango pit. Three sets of experiments were performed using jar test method namely; only adsorption using fly ash and the second is using mango pit as coagulant and the third one is using fly ash in combination with mango pit in hybrid adsorption-coagulation system. In the first set of experiments only adsorption process was studied using fly ash as an adsorbent by varying particle size and weight. Samples of 300ml wastewater were used with variable fly ash particle size ranging from 355μm and 500μm and operated at 200rpm. Results showed that with decrease in particle size the amount of pollutant adsorbed increased, therefore process was optimized using 355 μm granule size and 90g of dose producedresults in color reduction as 91%, COD 82%, BOD5 83%, TDS 74%, TSS 78% and turbidity 93% respectively. In second set of experiment mango pit was proved to be an excellent coagulant to be used for wastewater treatment which gave reduction of pollutants up to 70%. Further in the third set of experiments equal amount of wastewater samples were investigated using hybrid adsorption-coagulation method by varying concentration and pH of adsorbent-coagulant as (50g-0.6ml, 70g-0.8ml, 90g-1.2ml). When applying hybrid method an improved trend was recorded comparing with previous resultsin reduction of Color from 91% to 97%, COD from 82% to 89%, BOD from 83% to 94%, TDS from 84% to 93% and TSS from 88% to 96% respectively. Hybrid coagulation-Adsorption method has not only positive impact on reduction of wastewater quality parameters but also very cost effective and environmental friendly process. Other advantages include low sludge production and the less amount of coagulants used.
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Development of new kinetic model for meshophilic biohydrogen production in Trickle bed reactor using clostrodium butyricum CWBI 1009
(2015-06-10) Rathnasiri, PG; Pathiranage, RSS; ;
The aim of present study is to develop a new kinetic model for bio hydrogen production in biofilm by Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009 grown in Trickle Bed reactor running on sequence batch mode. Bio hydrogen production experiments had already been conducted using Trickle Bed Sequence Batch Reactor (TBSBR) using Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009. Measured parameters were hydrogen composition, hydrogen production rate and soluble metabolites. Controlled parameters were pH, recirculation flow rale and temperature. This reactor was operated for 62 days. Modified Anaerobic Digestion Model No.J. /(ADM1) is used to model initial phase of TBSBR. The reactor configuration, input substrate and synthetic medium were set as dictated by original ADM1. Tvvo sets of parameters were investigated in this study. In the first phase, parameters given by ADM1 were applied. In the second phase, parameters were adjusted in the range given by ADM1 until measured output and model output are in close agreement. Following parameter estimation, pH value was in close agreement with reactor operational pH value, gas flow rates and hydrogen percentage follows same Hj|;em as experimental values within 1-2% variation. However, modelled concentrations of volatile tatty acids were not well fitted with experimental data.
item: Conference-Abstract
Dynamic modelling and simulation of pilot scale anaerobic digestion plant treating source separated food waste and effect of recycling sludge
Rathnasiri, PG
This study investigates the effect of recycling sludge and stability of pilot scale anaerobic digestion plant treating organic fraction of source separated food waste. Pilot plant comprises of pre-treatment, anaerobic digestion and post treatment. Anaerobic digestion is carried out under mesophilic conditions. At flow rate of 0.221 m3/d, slurry of food waste is introduced semicontinuously every day within 2 hr time span. Anaerobic digestion model No.1 (ADM1) was applied for modelling and simulation of continuous stirred tank anaerobic reactor including recycling and was implemented in AQUASIM 2.1f. Input food waste was characterized and parameters were determined as dictated by ADM1. Process parameters were obtained from pilot plant and kinetic parameters are standard parameters given in ADM1. Input Organic Loading Rate(OLR) to reactor is 4.81 kgCOD/m3.d and Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) was 20 days. Pilot scale AD plant was simulated for 40 days. It was found that biogas production rate and gas composition vary according the intermittent feeding pattern and reactor head space contains average compositions of CH4 and CO2 of 56% and 30% (v/v) respectively. Average biogas production rate under this conditionwas 16.4 m3/d. Recycling of sludge in terms of biomass was implemented in model as an advective link. When model was simulated at 40 day solid retention time (SRT), average biogas production rate increased by 31%. By varying OLRs to reactor, stability was investigated. When input OLR was doubled in terms of hydraulic load, anaerobic reactor became unstable producing H2 (38% v/v) and CO2 (40%v/v) in reactor head space. Under this condition, bulk liquid phase pH was 4.78. Instability is further confirmed by accumulation of volatile fatty acids and inhibition of strict methanogens. ADM1 can be applied to model and simulate pilot scale anaerobic digestion plant and to screen different options before scaling up into large scale plants. 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of 5IconSWM 2015.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Effect of biofilm growth in anaerobic reactor treating dairy wastewater
(Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2019) Eranda, JADV; Kalpani, WHA; Darshana, WAC; Rathnasiri, PG; Rathnasiri, PG
In this study, attention was given to anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater, which has higher COD levels and a nutritional rich media for microbial growth. Generally, Fixed Bed Biofilm Reactors are significant in treating dairy wastewater due to its capability of retaining microorganisms. This research is being carried out to examine the stability of biofilms under different shock load conditions. Initially, a lab scale reactor was experimented. Next, a pilot scale reactor with packing material was run and variations of the parameters were observed. However, due to several issues, a stable point was not obtained throughout the operation of the pilot scale reactor. Recommendations could be made on studies carried out as further research on biofilm formation, its stability under shock loads and COD reducing efficiency.
item: Conference-Abstract
Effect of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to Sulfate (SO4-2) ratio on sulfate reduction in anaerobic digestion of sulfate rich wastewater
Samarathunga, IR; Rathnasiri, PG; Hansaka, MAR; Kawinda, UGYS; Ananda, RYB
Effluents discharged from some industries are both high in chemical oxygen demand. If sulfate is not treated up to the standards before discharging, it will contaminate with the surface or ground water bodies. Although sulfate does not cause any direct impact on the environment, biological transformation of sulfate under anaerobic conditions produces toxic hydrogen sulfide. There exists a competition between Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB) and Methanogenic Bacteria (MB) for same available substrate. COD/SO4-2 ratio represents the fraction of electron flow for SRBs and MBs, which determines the sulfate reduction. This research study, investigates the influence of COD/SO4-2ratio on the performance of the sulfate reduction in anaerobic digestion. Laboratory experiments were conducted for high and low concentrations of substrate loading at COD/SO4-2ratioof 7 and 3. Total percentage sulfate reduction for high and low concentrated synthetic wastewater at same COD/SO4-2 of 7 and 3are 50.5%,48.9%, 24.8% and 4.8%respectively. The average sulfate reduction rates for high and low concentrations at COD/SO4-2 of 7 and 3 are 111 ± 11.1 mg/l/d and 55 ± 5.8 mg/l/d, 62 ± 5.4 mg/l/d and 10 ± 1.6 mg/l/d respectively. Experimental results indicated that percentage sulfate reduction is efficient at COD/SO4-2 of 7 than at 3 and rate of sulfate reduction is high in high concentrated influent than low concentrated influent, while the COD/SO4-2 is kept at a constant. Therefore when these results are commercialized, for sulfate rich wastewater treatment, precautions have to be taken to add sufficient amount of electron donors to maintain the COD/SO4-2ratio for complete sulfate reduction.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Effect of co-digestion on the lipid inhibition in anaerobic digestion of desiccated coconut wastewater
(Department of Chemical & Process Engineering University of Moratuwa, 2020) Anjana, WTC; Jayathunga, P; Rathnasiri, PG; Rathnasiri, PG
Seven anaerobic batch reactors were run varying the Desiccated Coconut wastewater (DC) to Food Waste (FW) ratio at room temperature and the daily gas production and CH4 content was determined. Mono digestion of DC wastewater with a lipid concentration of 1600 mg/L showed significant lipid inhibition. All the co-digestion experiments resulted in enhanced biogas production. The highest methane percentage of 78.19% was obtained in the reactor with the DC:FW ratio of 3:2. The results suggest that the application of co-digestion effectively overcome the lipid inhibition in the anaerobic digestion of desiccated coconut wastewater with an enhanced methane production.
item: Conference-Full-text
Effect of Influent Volumetric Loading of Skim Latex Wastewater on Anaerobic Sulfate Reduction
(IEEE, 2021-07) Samarathunga, IR; Rathnasiri, PG; Adhikariwatte, W; Rathnayake, M; Hemachandra, K
Wastewater generated in skim latex industry is rich in high sulfate concentrations, ammonia and protein. This research study investigates the effect of influent volumetric loading of Skim Latex Wastewater (SLW) on anaerobic sulfate reduction. Experiment was conducted using two semi-batch reactors operated under completely anaerobic condition. Operating volume and the temperature were 2.5 litre and 35 ±1°C respectively. This experiment was conducted in three phases VL01, VL02 and VL03 by feeding the reactor at 33.2 l/m 3 .d, 50.0 l/m 3 .d and 100.0 l/m 3 .d respectively. SLW contained influent COD/SO 4 −2 ratio of 2.7, whereas the influent COD/TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) ratio was 10.1. Complete sulfate reduction was observed in all phases under anaerobic condition. However, the least average rate of sulfate reduction and overall percentage sulfate reduction was observed for the 100.0 l/m 3 .d. During this phase, anaerobic reactor showed symptoms of overloading, unstable and most affected with shock load. In VL03, time taken for complete sulfate reduction increased by 77.5% as a result of the high rate of ammonia formation. For SLW, sulfate degradation reduces at higher volumetric loading, but for moderate volumetric loading sulfate reduction was efficient, and ammonia inhibition could not be observed.
item: Conference-Abstract
Effect of lipid inhibition in anaerobic wastewater treatment : a case study using desiccated coconut wastewater
Samarasiri, BKT; Mihiranga, PAD; Rathnasiri, PG
Anaerobic treatment processes have been extensively developed for the treatment of various wastewaters containing high concentrations of organic substrates including proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The desiccated coconut industry in Sri Lanka is one of the industries where wastewater with high concentrations of lipids containing medium chain saturated fatty acids (~55%), long chain saturated fatty acids (~35%) and long chain unsaturated fatty acids (~10%) is generated. The long chain organic molecules of lipids undergo a series of complex biochemical reactions such as hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis during anaerobic digestion. According to previous studies, high concentrations of lipids have an inhibitory effect on anaerobic treatment processes, due to the mass transfer limitations and toxicity caused by long chain fatty acids (LCFA) towards syntrophic substrate-degrading bacteria. Undesirable effects of accumulation of LCFA in anaerobic reactors comprise of gradual drop down of rate of biogas production and derogatory effects on quality characteristics of effluents such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and oil and grease removal efficiencies after anaerobic treatment, causing the treatment process inefficient. According to the case study, desiccated coconut wastewater (DCWW) has pH 4.0 - 5.5, COD 4,000 mg/l - 8,000 mg/l, BOD 1,000 mg/l - 5,000 mg/l and total lipids 4,000 mg/l. In anaerobic treatment of DCWW, the COD removal efficiency rapidly changes from 90% - 30% due to the lipid inhibition caused by medium chain and LCFA in DCWW such as lauric acid and myristic acid. The treatment efficiency of anaerobic digestion can be enhanced via different physicochemical strategies.