The Effect of Temperature of Pyrolysis and Concentration of KOH Activator on the Characteristic of Activated Biochar from Cajuput Oil Industrial Solid Waste
Sakunda Anggarini *, Nimas Mayang Sabrina Sunyoto, Yoga Wisnu Priyo Prayogo

Department of Agro-Industrial Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang
*s_anggarini[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

The high production of cajuput oil in Indonesia generates a substansial cajuput industrial solid waste, containing lignocellulosic compounds with potential for biochar production. However, regular biochar may have limited combustion energy and environmental problems. To enhance its beneficial properties, this study focuses on transforming biochar into activated biochar as an adsorbent. This study aims to evaluate the effect of pyrolysis temperature and KOH activator concentration on activated biochar characteristics and identify the best treatment. Data was analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA and scoring-weighting methods. The result showed that pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced all parameters, while the KOH activator concentration significantly affected ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and iodine adsorption capacity. Interactions of two factors affected ash content, volatile matter, and fixed carbon. Considering three crucial characteristics of activated biochars as an adsorbent, the treatment A1B2 which involved pyrolysis at 550oC and activation with 15% KOH, was identified as the best treatment with relatively high yield of 32.15%. It accommodated several SNI criteria on water content (1.44%), volatile matters (20.37%), and fixed carbon (65.26%). Additionally, although the ash content (14.37%) and iodine adsorption capacity (400.24 mg/g) did not fully meet the standard criteria, they were the optimum result among all treatments.

Keywords: Activated biochar, activator concentration, cajuput oil industrial solid waste, pyrolysis temperature

Topic: Waste and environmental management