APPLICATION OF LEAN SIX SIGMA FOR ENHANCING PERFORMANCE IN THE POULTRY WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Abstract

This paper emphasizes sustainable wastewater treatment (WWT) performance using the Lean and Six Sigma framework. Considering the present global environmental challenges, it is critical to implement wastewater management, especially for treating industrial effluents. This study implements the Six Sigma, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) approach to construct a novel method for optimizing energy use and reducing chemical consumption by deploying an appropriate WWT unit process assessment procedure that effectively treats effluents before being discharged to the environment. A Malaysian SME poultry plant was selected for data gathering from July 2020 to May 2021. Data evaluation was performed as per the practices suggested in the Lean and Six Sigma framework tools. The study produced noteworthy results where process streamlining and simple changes facilitated a 15.3% reduction in monthly chemical requirement. Moreover, process capacity enhancement concerning DO and pH pertaining to biological and chemical treatment process. Finally, the study outcome suggested a statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in AN, COD, and BOD₅ mean values were near 66%, 58%, and 47% respectively. Therefore, effluent quality was significantly improved using this approach.