Perbaikan Kemampuan Jerap Spent Bleaching Earth pada Proses Pemucatan Crude Palm Oil Menggunakan Metode Desorpsi Dengan Microwave Assisted Extraction dan Aktivasi Asam

Abstract

The process of refining palm oil had been conducted with the help of adsorbents. One of the commonly used adsorbents is Bleaching Earth. However, this raises a new problem, namely the presence of B3 waste in the refining process: Spent Bleaching Earth (SBE). SBE waste still has an oil content of 20-40%, so that its disposal must be managed as well as possible. One way to utilize SBE waste is by regenerating SBE so that it can be reused as an adsorbent. This study aims to determine the effect of contact time and Microwave power on desorbed adsorbate, to know the kinetic model approach that exists then to see the application of Regenerated Bleaching Earth (RBE) on CPO adsorption. There are 3 stages of the research carried out, namely the desorption or extraction stage using the Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method, the acid activation stage and then the CPO adsorption stage using RBE. Desorption stages were carried out using hexane solvent, contact time variations of 10, 20 ,30 ,40 ,50 and 60 minutes and power variations of 180, 300 and 450 watts. Then the acid activation stage was carried out using sulfuric acid. The analyzes carried out were SEM-EDXS, BET BJH analysis, color, free fatty acids, and peroxide number analysis. From the results of the desorption stage, the best extraction conditions were obtained, 40 minutes and 450 watts of power, with the acquisition of the highest amount of adsorbate regardless of adsorbent, 17, 33%. The results of SEM-EDXS and BET BJH analysis can be concluded that the SBE regeneration process and the acid activation treatment gave good results on BE so that RBE can be reused as an adsorbent.