Ethanol Dehydration in Fixed Bed Column Using Pellet Adsorbent From Natural Zeolite Lampung

This research is motivated by the reduced reserves of fossil fuels in Indonesia, so that fossil fuel substitutes are needed, one of which is ethanol. It's just that to make ethanol as a fuel substitute for fossil fuels, a 99% concentration is required, while the ethanol on the market only has a concentration of 96%. One of the processes that can be used to purify ethanol is the adsorption process. In this study, activation of Natural Zeolite Lampung (ZAL) was carried out to increase its adsorption ability to water contained in an ethanol-water solution. This zeolite modification process begins with ZAL pre-treatment, formation of ZAL in the form of pellets, then ZAL activation by calcination, the results of this modification are characterized through the FTIR, XRD, XRF, SEM, and BET mechanisms. ZAL has been successfully formed into pellets, this can be seen when ZAL is immersed and the ethanol-water solution is flowed, it does not change shape. The highest R2 value was obtained in the Adam Bohart equation model at a flow rate of 10 ml/minute with an R2 value of 0.9742 with the highest concentration achieved at a concentration of 98.797%.

Bioremediation Greywater using Vermifilter

Vermifilter is a greywater waste treatment by utilizing the symbiosis of earthworms with microbes. Vermifilter is more efficient, simple in design, and easy to maintain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vermibed material on the concentration of BOD5, NH3-N, and DO in greywater waste treatment using vermifilter. The study used four vermifilter reactors (VF) with filtration media for gravel, coconut fiber, rough sand, and vermibed. Reactor VF1 uses a vermibed mixture of mustard greens and cabbage, VF2 sawdust, VF3 banana stalk, and VF4 cow dung. This study provides results that VF1 removal BOD5 90%, NH3-N 98%, and increase DO 164%; FV2 removal BOD5 92%, NH3-N 98%, and increase DO 185%;  FV3 removal BOD5 94.5% NH3-N 98.5%, and increased DO 156%; and FV4 decreased BOD5 93%, NH3-N 99%, and increased DO 270%. The media material had no significant effect on the concentration of BOD, NH3-N, and DO

The Heat Resistant Capabilities of Bioplastic Composites on Sago Hampas Starch-Al2O3

Sago hampas are a waste with a high starch content. The starch from sago hampas can be used as a raw material for bioplastics. However, because bioplastics have a lower heat resistance than conventional plastics, additives are required to increase heat resistance. Aluminum oxide can be used as a metal compound that acts as an additive to increase heat resistance. Bioplastics were created using a weight percentage of 0, 1, 3, and 5% Al2O3. DTA was used to determine the melting point of bioplastics, as well as their mechanical properties, density, and water resistance. The best results were identified using FTIR and SEM. The results showed that adding Al2O3 at 1, 3, and 5% increased the heat resistance of bioplastics with melting points of 270, 274, and 280 oC. Except for mechanical properties, the best results were obtained with a melting point of 280 oC, tensile strength of 3.41 Mpa, elongation of 38.66%, density of 5.52 g cm-3, and 80.28% water resistance for bioplastics with 5% Al2O3 that suitable on Indonesian National Standard 7188.7:2016. The FTIR analysis revealed that bioplastics containing Al2O3 experienced physical interactions. Morphological analysis revealed that Al2O3 was evenly distributed on the bioplastic's surface

Using Pollution Index to determine water quality in Banda Aceh waters, Indonesia

The northern waters of Banda Aceh are connected with the Indian Ocean, the Andaman Sea, and the Malacca Strait, thus making the study of water quality parameters in this region is important for enviromental management. In this study, water quality parameters are measured spatially and then continued with assessing the pollution index. The results can be helpful for development planning and coastal pollution mitigation in Banda Aceh. The data was collected from 21 seawater samples from 11 stations representing the water of Banda Aceh on 10-11 September 2019. VanDorn bottles were used to store the seawater samples for laboratory analysis. Several parameters such as temperature, salinity, and pH were measured in situ, while other parameters were tested in the laboratory. Most heavy metal parameters showed values below the minimal and maximal value limit detection of the instrument, indicating a small potential for heavy metal contamination. However, the pollution index (PI) indicates the potential for water pollution dominated by nitrate and phosphate with a value that exceeds the water quality standard. The indications are shown from the high aquaculture and anthropogenic activities around the coast of Banda Aceh

Synthesis and characterization of nanoemulsion of citronella oil (Cymbopogon Nardus L. Rendle) and its Sunscreen Potential Evaluation

Abstract Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus L. Rendle) essential oil contains active compounds such as antioxidants and has the potential to be developed as a sunscreen. Nanoemulsion is a water and oil dispersion stabilized by a surfactant layer and has a particle size below 100 nm. This study described the formulation, characterization of citronella oil nanoemulsions, and determination of their activity as a sunscreen through the SPF values. The nanoemulsion formulation was made with 3 variations of oil concentration: F1 (1%), F2 (3%), and F3 (5%). The results of the organoleptic test were following the standards which were clear and no phase separation occurred. In addition, the pH value of the 1%, 3%, and 5% prepared nanoemulsions were categorized as safe to be used on the skin. The prepared formulas were categorized as O/W nanoemulsion types. The viscosity values were found to be 12.76, 25.13, and 84.05 cP respectively. Furthermore, the percent transmittance values were 98.4, 98.9, and 99.9%. The particle sizes, respectively, were 9.4 (100%), 10.07 (97%), and 8.96 nm (82.5%). The centrifugation and freeze-thaw cycle tests showed good physical stability. The results of the sunscreen potential test of the 1%, 3%, and 5% citronella oil nanoemulsion showed SPF values of 1.03, 1.13, and 1.14 with %Te values of 77.42, 70.21, and 67.86% respectively, and %Tp values of 95.94, 94.04, and 93.61% respectively. Keywords: Citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus L. Rendle), nanoemulsion, antioxidant, sunscreen, SPF

Optimizing Gold Recovery of Artisanal Mining: A Lesson Learned from Kenya

The metallurgical testings to treat the Kenyan artisanal gold mining samples were performed with several processes such as gravity concentration (i.e., Knelson Concentrator and panning), flotation, and cyanidation or leaching. These tests were conducted to find the best processing stages to improve the Kenyan artisanal mining recovery. From the three categories of samples treated, sample A, which was processed through gravity concentration and flotation, produced 95.64% of gold recovery. Meanwhile, sample B could produce 98.74% of gold recovery with the cyanidation test. The results from sample A and sample B confirmed that the combination of the Knelson concentrator and flotation, which the Processing Center should handle, was the perfect combination to reduce the use of cyanide during the leaching process. On the other hand, the study also showed that the tailing sample (sample C) could still be recovered through flotation. With the results obtained, the best scenario was proposed. The government played a critical role in facilitating both the artisanal miners and the Processing Center for both cases, in Kenya or Aceh

Membrane Technology for Water Pollution Control: A Review of Recent Hybrid Mechanism

Current development of membrane technology for purifying polluted water and wastewater is discussed in this review in accordance with its hybrid application with other types of water treatment methods such as adsorption, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and biological activated sludge.  This hybrid implementation aims are to lengthen membrane lifespan and elude severe fouling on the surface and pore of the membrane. Membrane material and fabrication technology were concisely included. Two prominent materials to fabricate membrane namely polymeric and ceramic are reviewed well along with the exploration of biopolymers based-materials such as starch and alginate. Several fabrication methods available to be implemented in research or industrial large scale including interfacial polymerization technique, non-solvent induced phase separation, temperature induced phase separation, electrospinning, and sintering are deliberately discussed. The next section includes fouling analysis involving reliable fouling mechanism namely Hermia’s models to help with the explanation of fouling occurrence during filtration. These models covers four different mechanisms namely complete blocking, standard blocking, intermediate blocking, and cake filtration models. Ultimately, recent research reporting the outcome of the hybridization of membrane and adsorption, biosorption, coagulation-flocculation, AOPs, and biological treatment using microorganism were properly reviewed.  Overall, this review considerably promotes the findings of those works which mostly revealed positive outcome of the hybrid membrane system contributing to stronger foundation for future research

Adsorption Of Cr(VI) Ions Using Sugar Palm Fruit Peel (Arenga Pinnata) Immobilized in Ca-Alginate Bead

physiological or metabolic processes that can cause cancer in humans. Adsorption is one of the method that is quite effective for removing Cr(VI) in waters because this method uses low cost with good efficiency. Sugar palm fruit peel waste can be used as an adsorbent because it contains active compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats that can play a role in the absorption of metal ions. This sugar palm peel waste will be immobilized using a Ca-alginate medium to increase the absorption of mechanical forces in the adsorption process. The sugar palm fruit peel was activated using 4% NaOH, which was then immobilized by Ca-alginate. The adsorbent was tested to determine its functional group using FTIR and using SEM EDX to see the surface morphology and the elements present in the adsorbent. The results showed that the optimum absorption of metal ions Cr(VI) using Ca-alginate immobilized palm peel as adsorbent at optimum pH 2 with an efficiency of 63% and adsorption capacity of 0.35396 mg/g, the optimum contact time was 75 minutes with an efficiency of 73, 83% and adsorption capacity of 0.41314 mg/g and the optimum concentration at 150 ppm with adsorption capacity of 13.15185 mg/

Extraction of Amla (Emblica officinalis) Seed Oil Using Hexane

The results showed that the highest yield was obtained, namely 10.97% in the treatment of the raw material to solvent ratio of 1:30 and the extraction time of 120 minutes, while the lowest yield was 2.66% in the treatment of the raw material to solvent ratio of 1:20 and the extraction time of 30 minutes. Based on the phytochemical analysis, the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, namely 66.12 mg GAE/g and 95.70 mg QE/g, were obtained from the treatment of the ratio of raw materials to solvents of 1:25 and extraction time of 120 minutes. Meanwhile, the lowest concentrations of phenol and flavonoids, namely 24.87 mg GAE/g and 39 mg QE/g, were achieved in the treatment of the raw material to solvent ratio of 1:20 and the extraction time of 30 minutes. The FTIR  of amla seed oil with different aw material to solvent ratio and extraction times indicated the presence of the same functional group content. In the form of O-H indicating the presence of polyphenolic compounds, C=O indicating the presence of ascorbic acid compounds, C-O indicating the presence of pectin compounds, and C-O-C indicating flavonoid compounds in amla seed oil. The fatty acid components contained in amla seed oil analyzed using GCMS showed that the content of unsaturated fatty acids was higher than saturated fatty acids with linoleic acid as the main component. Physical-chemical analysis of pH, density, acid number, FFA, and peroxide number showed that the extracted oil quality was better than in previous studies

Synthesis of Renewable Diesel from Pure Plant Oil of Kapuk (Ceiba pentandra) Seed Using NiMo/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts

Ceiba pentandra (Kapok) is a tropical plant belonging to the Malvales that contain palm oil. Naturally, Pure Plant Oil (PPO) can be used as a renewable energy source that is a promising energy alternative instead of fossil. Somehow, one of the effects of the quality of Pure Plant Oil (PPO) is the presence of unsaturated bonds and the presence of oxygen. The most appropriate method to overcome these problems is hydrodeoxygenation using a batch system autoclave reactor. In the present work, we synthesized of Green Diesel using hydrodeoxygenation and NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst to saturate double bonds and remove oxygen. The yield of pure plant oil was 42.77-74.72% while the yield of green diesel at pressure conditions of 30 and 50 bar and at temperatures of 300, 350 and 400°C produced 76.73 – 94.06%. Then, the best condition for the hydrodeoxygenation reaction for the biggest yield is at a pressure of 50 bar at 350°C. The results of the characterization of gas products using GC-TCD showed the composition of gases H2, O2, CO, CH4, and CO2. Whereas for green diesel liquid products, pure plant oil, and kapok seed oil were analyzed using GC-MS obtained hydrocarbon compounds with interval C10-C20. Quality analysis of kapok seed oil, pure plant oil, and green diesel has been in accordance with quality standards except for FFA and viscosity