Personal statement

Poh Phaik Eong is an Associate Professor in School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia. Her research interests are in biological treatment of industrial wastewater, particularly palm oil mill effluent (POME) and greywater treatment.

Her primary research interests in anaerobic digestion of POME has been funded by Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia and Newton Collaborative Research Programme, UK. She also works closely with the industry (i.e.: Bacteria Free Water Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd.) on greywater treatment.

Poh is currently holding the position as the Editor-in-Chief of Water Conservation Science and Engineering. She was highly commended for the Young Chemical Engineer in Research Award in the 2015 IChemE Malaysia Award and obtained a bronze medal from PECIPTA 2017 for her invention on a low cost decentralized greywater treatment system.

Academic degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 2012
• Degree in Chemical Engineering (Hons), University of Nottingham, 2007

Professional affiliation

Member of National Professional Bodies

• Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Chartered Member

Member of International Professional Bodies

• International Water Association (IWA), Member

Research Interests

Rapid urbanization and development of industries in Malaysia, water security has become a primary focus in this country to ensure sustainable development of the country. My primary research interests is to find low cost solutions that could treat wastewater and at the same time generate useful by-products that could lead to positive impact in the industry. At the same time, I am also in search for a solution to conserve freshwater by developing technologies that could aid treatment and recycling of domestic wastewater without producing any secondary wastes. This solution could potentially alleviate any possible water disruptions that occurs in the country as residents will have access to clean water for non-potable activities and reduced fresh water usage.

In the future, I would like to integrate wastewater and food waste treatment to create a sustainable waste management system and look at possibilities of integrating wastewater treatment from various industries to recover as much resources as possible. Also, educating water users on the importance of water conservation will be one of my focuses to encourage adoption of wastewater treatment and recycling technologies in Malaysia.

Research Projects

Title: Effective Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment Solutions

This project aims to develop a robust process that is able to tolerate changing characteristics of POME, to maximize anaerobic digestion of POME while maintaining stable operation, producing stable effluent quality and biogas. This will be achieved via development of a prediction model for anaerobic digestion of POME as well as integration of pre-treatment process and dewatering unit into existing treatment process.

Title: Decentralized Greywater Treatment System - A Sustainable and Cost Saving Method for Water Conservation

This project aims to develop a low cost and easy to use process for greywater treatment. The treated greywater can be used for car wash, toilet flushing and gardening. While water can be conserved in individual household, blackwater which originates from toilet can be concentrated so that waste sent to the sewage treatment system can be more consistent. Furthermore, greywater can be integrated other domestic waste sources for treatment to produce valuable products such as biogas that can be used to either generate electricity or cooking.

Education

Units taught

• CHE2166 - Introduction to Process Simulation

Journal

Khadaroo, Sabeeha N.B.A.; Grassia, Paul; Gouwanda, Darwin; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2020, The impact of thermal pretreatment on various solid-liquid ratios of palm oil mill effluent (POME) for enhanced thermophilic anaerobic digestion performance, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume: 261, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121159

Tan, Khang Aik; Mohan, Yogeswaran; Liew, Kwok Jee; Chong, See Hin; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2020, Development of an effective cleaning method for metallic parts using microbubbles, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume: 261, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121076

Chang, Jang Sen; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Ocon, Joey D.; Md Zoqratt, Muhammad Zarul Hanifah; Lee, Sze Mei; , 2020, Impacts of morphological-controlled ZnO nanoarchitectures on aerobic microbial communities during real wastewater treatment in an aerobic-photocatalytic system, Environmental Pollution, Volume: 259, Issue Number: 02697491, 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113867

Khadaroo, Sabeeha N.B.A.; Grassia, Paul; Gouwanda, Darwin; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2020, The influence of different solid-liquid ratios on the thermophilic anaerobic digestion performance of palm oil mill effluent (POME), Journal of Environmental Management, Volume: 257, Issue Number: 03014797, 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109996

Chan, Jing S.; Poh, Phaik E.; Ismadi, Mohd Zulhilmi P.; Yeo, Leslie Y.; Tan, Ming K.; , 2020, Enhancing greywater treatment via MHz-Order surface acoustic waves, Water Research, Volume: 169, Issue Number: 00431354, 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115187

Chang, Jang Sen; Strunk, Jennifer; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Ocon, Joey D.; , 2020, Multi-dimensional zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoarchitectures as efficient photocatalysts: What is the fundamental factor that determines photoactivity in ZnO?, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume: 381, Issue Number: 03043894, 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120958

Khadaroo, Sabeeha N.B.A.; Poh, Phaik Eong; Gouwanda, Darwin; Grassia, Paul; , 2019, Applicability of various pretreatment techniques to enhance the anaerobic digestion of Palm oil Mill effluent (POME): A review, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Volume: 7, 10.1016/j.jece.2019.103310

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Balan, Poovarasi; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2019, Life-cycle assessment and life-cycle cost analysis of decentralised rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling and hybrid rainwater-greywater systems, Journal of Cleaner Production, (1211-1224), Volume: 229, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.046

Khadaroo, Sabeeha N.B.A.; Grassia, Paul; Gouwanda, Darwin; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2019, Is the dewatering of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) feasible? Effect of temperature on POME's rheological properties and compressive behavior, Chemical Engineering Science, (519-528), Volume: 202, Issue Number: 00092509, 10.1016/j.ces.2019.03.051

Tan, D. T.; Tan, H. M.; Poh, P. E.; Chin, S. K.; , 2019, Preservation of mesophilic mixed culture for anaerobic palm oil mill effluent treatment by convective drying methods, Drying Technology, (208-222), Volume: 37, Issue Number: 07373937, 10.1080/07373937.2018.1446445

Tan, H. M.; Poh, P. E.; Gouwanda, D.; , 2018, Resolving stability issue of thermophilic high-rate anaerobic palm oil mill effluent treatment via adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system predictive model, Journal of Cleaner Production, (797-805), Volume: 198, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.027

Tan, Hui Min; Gouwanda, Darwin; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2018, Adaptive neural-fuzzy inference system vs. anaerobic digestion model No.1 for performance prediction of thermophilic anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, (92-99), Volume: 117, Issue Number: 09575820, 10.1016/j.psep.2018.04.013

Tan, D. T.; Chin, S. K.; Poh, P. E.; Lee, Y. H.; , 2018, Preservation of thermophilic mixed culture for anaerobic palm oil mill effluent treatment by convective drying methods, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, (1211-1222), Volume: 15, Issue Number: 17351472, 10.1007/s13762-017-1486-9

Tan, D. T.; Poh, P. E.; Chin, S. K.; , 2018, Microorganism preservation by convective air-drying—A review, Drying Technology, (764-779), Volume: 36, Issue Number: 07373937, 10.1080/07373937.2017.1354876

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Vieritz, Alison; Talei, Amin; Chow, Ming Fai; , 2018, Quantification of mains water savings from decentralised rainwater, greywater, and hybrid rainwater-greywater systems in tropical climatic conditions, Journal of Cleaner Production, (946-958), Volume: 176, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.020

Lim, M. W.; Lau, E. V.; Poh, P. E.; , 2018, Micro-macrobubbles interactions and its application in flotation technology for the recovery of high density oil from contaminated sands, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, (29-37), Volume: 161, Issue Number: 09204105, 10.1016/j.petrol.2017.11.064

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2018, Assessment of greywater quality and performance of a pilot-scale decentralised hybrid rainwater-greywater system, Journal of Cleaner Production, (81-91), Volume: 172, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.172,

Oh, Kai Siang; Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Poh, Phaik Eong; Chong, Meng Nan; Lau, Ee Von; , 2018, A review of greywater recycling related issues: Challenges and future prospects in Malaysia, Journal of Cleaner Production, (17-29), Volume: 171, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.267

Chang, Jang Sen; Tan, Jian Kai; Shah, Savan Nalin; Mateblowski, Alina; Strunk, Jennifer; Poh, Phaik Eong; Chong, Meng Nan; , 2017, Morphological tunable three-dimensional flower-like zinc oxides with high photoactivity for targeted environmental Remediation: Degradation of emerging micropollutant and radicals trapping experiments, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, (206-217), Volume: 81, Issue Number: 18761070, 10.1016/j.jtice.2017.10.030

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Hermawan, Andreas; Talei, Amin; , 2017, Longitudinal assessment of rainwater quality under tropical climatic conditions in enabling effective rainwater harvesting and reuse schemes, Journal of Cleaner Production, (64-75), Volume: 143, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.149

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Oh, Kai Siang; Poh, Phaik Eong; Chong, Meng Nan; , 2017, Prospects of hybrid rainwater-greywater decentralised system for water recycling and reuse: A review, Journal of Cleaner Production, (3014-3027), Volume: 142, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.10.167

Lim, M. W.; Lau, E. V.; Poh, P. E.; , 2017, Optimization studies for the flotation of bunker oil from contaminated sand using microbubbles, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, (2046-2063), Volume: 12, Issue Number: 18234690, https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026905310&origin=resultslist

Lim, M. W.; Lau, E. V.; Poh, P. E.; , 2016, Analysis of attachment process of bubbles to high-density oil: Influence of bubble size and water chemistry, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, (192-200), Volume: 68, Issue Number: 18761070, 10.1016/j.jtice.2016.08.037

Oh, K. S.; Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. N.; Chan, E. S.; Lau, E. V.; Saint, C. P.; , 2016, Bathroom greywater recycling using polyelectrolyte-complex bilayer membrane: Advanced study of membrane structure and treatment efficiency, Carbohydrate Polymers, (161-170), Volume: 148, Issue Number: 01448617, 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.04.039

Lim, Mee Wei; Lau, Ee Von; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2016, A comprehensive guide of remediation technologies for oil contaminated soil — Present works and future directions, Marine Pollution Bulletin, (14-45), Volume: 109, Issue Number: 0025326X, 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.023

Hor, Kar Yan; Chee, Jasmine Mun Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Jin, Bo; Saint, Christopher; Poh, Phaik Eong; Aryal, Rupak; , 2016, Evaluation of physicochemical methods in enhancing the adsorption performance of natural zeolite as low-cost adsorbent of methylene blue dye from wastewater, Journal of Cleaner Production, (197-209), Volume: 118, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.01.056

Chiew, Christine Shu Ching; Yeoh, Hak Koon; Pasbakhsh, Pooria; Poh, Phaik Eong; Tey, Beng Ti; Chan, Eng Seng; , 2016, Stability and reusability of alginate-based adsorbents for repetitive lead (II) removal, Polymer Degradation and Stability, (146-154), Volume: 123, Issue Number: 01413910, 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.11.022

Chiew, Christine Shu Ching; Yeoh, Hak Koon; Pasbakhsh, Pooria; Krishnaiah, Kamatam; Poh, Phaik Eong; Tey, Beng Ti; Chan, Eng Seng; , 2016, Halloysite/alginate nanocomposite beads: Kinetics, equilibrium and mechanism for lead adsorption, Applied Clay Science, (301-310), Volume: 119, Issue Number: 01691317, 10.1016/j.clay.2015.10.032

Lau, Ee Von; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2015, Recovery of High-Viscosity Crude Oil from Contaminated Oil-Wet Sand Using a Combined Mechanical Agitation and Freeze-Thaw Process, Journal of Environmental Engineering (United States), Volume: 141, Issue Number: 07339372, 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000963

Tan, Kok Bing; Vakili, Mohammadtaghi; Horri, Bahman Amini; Poh, Phaik Eong; Abdullah, Ahmad Zuhairi; Salamatinia, Babak; , 2015, Adsorption of dyes by nanomaterials: Recent developments and adsorption mechanisms, Separation and Purification Technology, (229-242), Volume: 150, Issue Number: 13835866, 10.1016/j.seppur.2015.07.009

Lim, M. W.; Lau, E. V.; Poh, P. E.; Chong, W. T.; , 2015, Interaction studies between high-density oil and sand particles in oil flotation technology, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, (114-121), Volume: 131, Issue Number: 09204105, 10.1016/j.petrol.2015.04.016

Oh, K. S.; Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. N.; Gouwanda, D.; Lam, W. H.; Chee, C. Y.; , 2015, Optimizing the in-line ozone injection and delivery strategy in a multistage pilot-scale greywater treatment system: System validation and cost-benefit analysis, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, (1146-1151), Volume: 3, 10.1016/j.jece.2015.04.022

Chong, Meng Nan; Tneu, Zhen Yang; Poh, Phaik Eong; Jin, Bo; Aryal, Rupak; , 2015, Synthesis, characterisation and application of TiO<inf>2</inf>-zeolite nanocomposites for the advanced treatment of industrial dye wastewater, Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, (288-296), Volume: 50, Issue Number: 18761070, 10.1016/j.jtice.2014.12.013

Chong, Meng Nan; Cho, Yew Jeng; Poh, Phaik Eong; Jin, Bo; , 2015, Evaluation of Titanium dioxide photocatalytic technology for the treatment of reactive Black 5 dye in synthetic and real greywater effluents, Journal of Cleaner Production, (196-202), Volume: 89, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.014

Chow, W. L.; Chan, Y. J.; Chong, M. F.; Poh, P. E.; , 2015, Co-digestion studies of saleable glycerin with palm oil mill effluent and poultry manure, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, (17-26), Volume: 10, Issue Number: 18234690, https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949669195&origin=resultslist

Teh, X. Y.; Poh, P. E.; Gouwanda, D.; Chong, M. N.; , 2015, Decentralized light greywater treatment using aerobic digestion and hydrogen peroxide disinfection for non-potable reuse, Journal of Cleaner Production, (305-311), Volume: 99, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.03.015

Chiew, Christine Shu Ching; Poh, Phaik Eong; Pasbakhsh, Pooria; Tey, Beng Ti; Yeoh, Hak Koon; Chan, Eng Seng; , 2014, Physicochemical characterization of halloysite/alginate bionanocomposite hydrogel, Applied Clay Science, (444-454), Volume: 101, Issue Number: 01691317, 10.1016/j.clay.2014.09.007

Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. F.; , 2014, Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket-hollow centered packed bed (UASB-HCPB) reactor for thermophilic palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment, Biomass and Bioenergy, (231-242), Volume: 67, Issue Number: 09619534, 10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.05.007

Poh, P. E.; Ong, W. Y.J.; Lau, E. V.; Chong, M. N.; , 2014, Investigation on micro-bubble flotation and coagulation for the treatment of anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (POME), Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, (1174-1181), Volume: 2, 10.1016/j.jece.2014.04.018

Von Lau, Ee; Gan, Suyin; Ng, Hoon Kiat; Poh, Phaik Eong; , 2014, Extraction agents for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil in soil washing technologies, Environmental Pollution, (640-649), Volume: 184, Issue Number: 02697491, 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.09.010

Chin, May Ji; Poh, Phaik Eong; Tey, Beng Ti; Chan, Eng Seng; Chin, Kit Ling; , 2013, Biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME): Opportunities and challenges from Malaysia's perspective, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, (717-726), Volume: 26, Issue Number: 13640321, 10.1016/j.rser.2013.06.008

Poh, Phaik Eong; Yong, Wei Jin; Chong, Mei Fong; , 2010, Palm oil mill effluent (POME) characteristic in high crop season and the applicability of high-rate anaerobic bioreactors for the treatment of pome, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, (11732-11740), Volume: 49, Issue Number: 08885885, 10.1021/ie101486w

Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. F.; , 2010, Biomethanation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) with a thermophilic mixed culture cultivated using POME as a substrate, Chemical Engineering Journal, (146-154), Volume: 164, Issue Number: 13858947, 10.1016/j.cej.2010.08.044

Poh, Phaik Eong; Chong, Mei Fong; , 2010, Thermophilic Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) treatment using a mixed culture cultivated from POME, Chemical Engineering Transactions, (811-816), Volume: 21, Issue Number: 22839216, 10.3303/CET1021136

Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. F.; , 2009, Development of anaerobic digestion methods for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment, Bioresource Technology, (1-9), Volume: 100, Issue Number: 09608524, 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.06.022

Book

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, Palm oil milling wastes, Green Energy and Technology, (21-44), Issue Number: 18653529, 10.1007/978-3-030-39550-6_3

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, Preface, Green Energy and Technology, (v), Issue Number: 18653529, https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85079279661&origin=resultslist

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, Sustainability of waste management initiatives in palm oil mills, Green Energy and Technology, (57-73), Issue Number: 18653529, 10.1007/978-3-030-39550-6_5

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, Oil palm plantation wastes, Green Energy and Technology, (5-20), Issue Number: 18653529, 10.1007/978-3-030-39550-6_2

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, Introduction, Green Energy and Technology, (1-4), Issue Number: 18653529, 10.1007/978-3-030-39550-6_1

Poh, Phaik Eong; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lam, Weng Hoong; Poon, Wai Ching; Lim, Chean Shen; , 2020, High-rate anaerobic digestion of POME for stable effluent and biogas production, Green Energy and Technology, (45-56), Issue Number: 18653529, 10.1007/978-3-030-39550-6_4

Conference

Tan, H. M.; Lew, J. C.S.; Gouwanda, D.; Poh, P. E.; , 2017, Fuzzy logic modelling for thermophilic anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment, 2017 4th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Applications, ICIEA 2017, (265-269), 10.1109/IEA.2017.7939219,

Poh, P. E.; Chong, M. F.; , 2010, Thermophilic Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) treatment using a mixed culture cultivated from POME, 19th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering, CHISA 2010 and 7th European Congress of Chemical Engineering, ECCE-7, https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84864296656&origin=resultslist

Local grants

• Fuzzy Logic Predictive Model for Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) under Thermophilic Condition, P.E. Poh, D. Gouwanda, C.P Tan, 2016 - 2019, Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS), RM 134,000
• Investigation on the treatment of metal stamping wastewater using microbubble flotation, P.E. Poh, 2016 - 2019, JKS Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd.
• Understanding the physicochemical property and potential antioxidant capacity in ionised water sources under different pH regimes, P.E. Poh, 2015-2017, BACFREE
• Effect of drying on the viability of thermophilic mixed culture for Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) treatment, P.E. Poh, S.K. Chin, M.F. Chong, 2013-2015, Ministry of Higher Education (e-Science), RM 119,000
• Optimization of ozone concentration and process parameters for greywater treatment, P.E. Poh, M.N. Chong, 2014, BACFREE

International grants

• Exploiting microbiology & rheology to improve treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent, P.E. Poh, P. Grassia, D. Gouwanda, 2016-2017, Newton Research Collaboration Programme

Current supervision

Tan Hui Min

Development of a Predictive Model for a Thermophilic High-Rate Anaerobic Reactor for Stable Operation, Consistent Effluent Quality and Biogas Production

2015 - Present

Monash University Malaysia

Tan Khang Aik

Development of an effective cleaning method for metallic parts with an integrated water recycling system

2016 - Present

Monash University Malaysia

Sabeeha Khadaroo

Integration of dewatering and anaerobic digestion of  Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) for stable and consistent treatment performance

2017 - Present

Monash University Malaysia

Completed supervision

Oh Kai Siang

Development of chitosan/alginate/AgNP membrane for decentralized greywater treatment

2012 - 2017

Monash University Malaysia

David Tandiono Tan

Development of dried thermophilic mixed culture by convective air drying for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment

2013 - 2018

Monash University Malaysia

Local Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

• PECIPTA 2017 (BRONZE) Decentralised Greywater Filtration Module - A Sustainable and Cost Saving Method for Water Conservation - PECIPTA, 2017

International Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

• Editor in Chief - Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2016-2018