Techno-Economic Assessment of Olive-Waste Biochar Filtration for Decentralized Graywater Treatment in Palestine
Supervisor Name
Maryam Hmoudah
Supervisor Email
maryam.h@najah.edu
University
An-Najah National Univeristy
Research field
Environmental Science
Bio
Dr. Maryam Hmoudah is an assistant professor in the Chemical Engineering Program at An-Najah National University. She is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a strong academic background in chemical engineering with a deep-rooted commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in wastewater treatment. Growing up in Nablus amid political and resource-based challenges, she developed a resilient spirit and a clear sense of purpose. Dr. Hmoudah earned her Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from An-Najah National University in 2009, later pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Calgary in Canada. Driven by a passion for applied science, she embarked on a doctoral journey through a dual PhD program between the University of Naples Federico II in Italy and Åbo Akademi University in Finland, specializing in the development of advanced materials for environmental remediation.
Description
This project evaluates the technical performance and economic feasibility of a decentralized biochar-based filtration system for graywater treatment in Palestinian households. Graywater constitutes nearly 70–80% of domestic wastewater, yet it is often discharged untreated, contributing to environmental pollution and infrastructure overload. At the same time, Palestine experiences severe water scarcity, making water reuse an important sustainability strategy. The proposed system uses biochar produced from olive mill waste, an abundant agricultural by-product in Palestine. The biochar acts as an adsorption medium capable of removing organic pollutants, detergents, and nutrients from graywater. The treated water can then be reused for irrigation, while the spent biochar can serve as a soil amendment, supporting circular resource use. The research will combine experimental testing of the filtration system with a techno-economic assessment, including cost analysis, life-cycle considerations, and comparison with conventional wastewater management options.
