CHEMICA: Jurnal Teknik Kimia

Converting Biomass into Biofuel using Production Techniques: A Review

Semaa Khaleel — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Biomass is a widely popular form of renewables as an alternative to fossil fuels, the dwindling oil resources and the escalation of environmental issues related to climate change. Biofuel has gained great importance as a source of bioenergy due to its two characteristics: sustainability and renewal. The biomass abundantly available in nature can be converted into various types of biofuel. This review provides a summary of biomass and its sources, as well as types of biofuels, their generations and technologies for producing biomass (Thermochemical, Biochemical, Biological, Physical, Ultrasonic, Microwave, Nanotechnology) discussing competitive benefits, disadvantages of these technologies and the conversion of biomass and their potential environmental impacts, in addition to clarifying biofuel products, which included production of bioethanol, biomethanol they can be used fuel for internal combustion vehicles, transportation and industry for their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing biodiesel, which is considered a good alternative to petroleum diesel. Biogas is not used as fuel unless modified, and future research can be directed towards marketing sustainable biofuel.

Optimization of Potassium Silicate Fertilizer Production from Fly Ash: Effect of KOH Concentration and Extraction Time

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in power plants, contains a high concentration of silica, making it a valuable and underutilized raw material for synthesizing potassium silicate fertilizer. Potassium silicate is known for its ability to enhance plant resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, thereby improving overall crop health, productivity, and yield. This study aims to determine the optimal synthesis conditions of potassium silicate from fly ash by varying potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentrations and extraction times. The experimental design involves extracting silica using five different KOH concentrations (7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 N) and five time intervals (60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes). Results indicate that increasing KOH concentration leads to higher silica extraction efficiency; however, it concurrently decreases potassium content in the final product. This is attributed to increased solubility and subsequent loss of potassium during extraction. Among the tested conditions, the optimum synthesis was achieved using 15 N KOH for 120 minutes, producing a potassium silicate compound with 57.5% silica and 39.4% potassium, as confirmed through compositional analysis. These findings highlight the potential of converting fly ash into a high-value agricultural input, supporting waste valorization and sustainable fertilizer development. Despite these promising results, further research is recommended to evaluate field application efficacy, environmental impact, and economic feasibility in comparison with conventional commercial fertilizers.

The Effect of Distillation on Several Types of River Water On Clean Water and Drinking Water Quality Standards

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a distillation device in producing clean water from five major rivers in Yogyakarta, namely the Progo, Oyo, Opak, Gajah Wong, and Code Rivers. The distillation process utilizes an organic waste combustion system as a heat source to generate water vapor from river water, which is then condensed into liquid form. This method not only aims to produce clean water but also to promote sustainable practices by utilizing readily available organic waste as fuel. The study analyzed the resulting distilled water based on physicochemical and microbiological parameters in accordance with the clean water quality standards set by the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Parameters such as pH, turbidity, mineral content, total dissolved solids (TDS), and microbial contamination were measured. The results indicated that the distillation device was capable of producing water that met several clean water criteria, though variations in distillation efficiency were observed across river sources. These inconsistencies were mainly attributed to factors such as leakage in the device, fluctuations in combustion temperature, and differences in the initial water quality of each river. Furthermore, the distillation process significantly altered certain chemical characteristics, including a reduction in mineral content and shifts in pH values. In conclusion, while the distillation method shows potential as a viable alternative for clean water production, especially in rural or resource-limited areas, further improvements in system stability and design optimization are needed to enhance its consistency and overall effectiveness.

The Effect of Concentration Castor Seed Oil and Banana Peel Extract on The Production of Antiseptic Liquid Soap

Ahmad M Fuadi, Amanda Yasmin Prayendra — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Biodegradable Plastic With Various Variants Of Banana Peel

Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Banana peel is organic waste that has not been used properly. In this study, banana peel pectin yield is used as the main ingredient in making biodegradable plastics. The banana peels used are kepok banana peel and plantain peel. The method used in determining pectin yield is extraction. This experiment used sorbitol as a plasticizer and chitosan as an additive. This study was conducted to study the effect of temperature on pectin yield from banana peel variants by extraction method and analyze physical characteristics such as tensile strength, break elongation, and water absorption of the biodegradable plastic produced. The methods used are pectin extraction and bioplastic manufacturing. The results of the analysis obtained pectin yield at a temperature variation of 70ºC; 80ºC; 90ºC in kepok and king banana peels were 1.77% and 4.60%, 3.97% and 6.91%, respectively, and 4.40% and 8.10%. Based on the yield of pectin, it is known that the higher the temperature used during extraction, the more pectin yield produced. The optimum thickness obtained bioplastic plantain peel with plasticizer 0.0031 cm and the minimum thickness obtained non-plasticizer plantain peel 0.0025 cm. The tensile strength of kepok banana peel bioplastic with plasticizer, which is 3.732-5.318 Mpa, non-plasticizer kepok banana peel bioplastic, which is 0.270-0.638 Mpa, in plantain peel bioplastic with plasticizer, which is 1.946-2.934 Mpa, in sorbitol non-plasticizer plantain peel, which is 0.170-1.263 Mpa. Bioplastic elongation test on kepok banana peel was obtained 2.616-3.360%, plantain peel bioplastic, which is 3.46-7.30%, on non-plasticizer bioplastic kepok banana peel, which is 0.152-0.424%, and on plantain peel which is 0.096-0.728%. The water resistance of kepok banana peel and plantain peel with the addition of plasticizers is 61.41% and 58.62%, while non-plasticizer bioplastics have water resistance values of 84.13% and 85.82%. In conclusion, biodegradable plastics in this study are not in accordance with standards.

Performance Evaluation of Food-Processing Wastewater Treatment Facility in a Small-Scale Sanjai Industry

Reni Desmiarti, Maulana Yusup Rosadi, Lisa Aprilia, Adrian Zaki Zayyan — Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Payakumbuh, Indonesia is known as a popular city for cassava chips called sanjai. A small-scale sanjai industry produces 1.5 tons/day and discharges wastewater of 3,300 L/day. The wastewater treatment facility was established for sanjai industry by designing a trickling filter as the main unit treatment. An attached growth process and fixed-medium working principle were applied to treat the wastewater. This study evaluated the performance of a small wastewater treatment facility by examining the pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total coliform. Data was observed for 145 days, and the COD and BOD of the influent were 2,504 and 1,587 mg/L. Collectively, the wastewater facility in a sanjai industry was acceptable with COD, BOD, and total coliform removal at 65%, 79%, and 87%. The results of BOD and COD removal demonstrated that microorganisms developed in the trickling filter were able to remove organic compounds at pH values of 5–7. The trickling filters demonstrate an efficient technology that can be implemented in small-scale food industries for effective and sustainable wastewater management