RESUMO
The quality of crude palm oil (CPO) is generally determined by the levels of free fatty acids (FFA). This helps in balancing the level of acidity during transportation and storage processes. However, high FFA in CPO is not good for consumer health. One of the methods for adsorbing FFA is adsorption, which is the adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of contact time (40, 80 and 120 min) and Coconut Coir (CC) bioadsorbent concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 (%, w/v) on the reduction of CPO FFA levels. This began with the activation of CC biochar synthesis by using NaOH and HCl, which produced CC-NaOH and CC-HCl bioadsorbents based on the product of NaOH. Furthermore, the adsorption process was carried out by mixing CPO with CC-NaOH and CC-HCl bioadsorbents in a three-necked flask. After this, the filtrate product was obtained and analyzed for its FFA levels. The results showed that the largest percentage reduction for the effect of bioadsorbent concentration was 3% (w/v) at a contact time of 120 min. It also indicated that this study enabled lower levels of FFA in CPO. Based on the detailed cost estimate, the production cost of the CC-NaOH bioadsorbent was USD 481,874, sold at USD 95/ton with annual sales and net profit (after tax) at USD 684,000 and USD 141,188, respectively. This profit after tax and rate of return on investment was found to be 20.68 and 39.49% of the entire estimation, respectively. It also had a payback period of 2.95 years and a break-even point at a capacity of 43.16%. In addition, the prepared adsorbent showed significant ability as an inexpensive, reproducible and environmentally friendly compound used in reducing the FFA levels of CPO.
RESUMO
The quality of crude palm oil (CPO) must be maintained since it plays an important role in fulfilling the domestic and global needs (food and non-food). The quality of CPO is determined by the color, Free Fatty Acid (FFA) and carotene. This study was aimed at examining the effect of bentonite concentration (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%) and contact time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) on the quality of crude palm oil. The refining processes of CPO through degumming, bleaching and distillation were carried out before the analysis on color, FFA and carotene was done. The results showed that the effect of bentonite concentration (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%) experienced the highest percentage in reduction at 3.0% (color 88.7%, FFA 2.99% and carotene 56.37%). Meanwhile, the effect of contact time (15, 30, 45 and 60 min) experienced the highest percentage in reduction at 60 min (color 89.58%, FFA 2.38%, carotene 61.32%). The reduction in the CPO's color, FFA and carotene found in this study indicates that bentonite concentration and contact time are proven to be effective methods for CPO refinery based on the standard set by Malaysian Palm Oil Refiners Association. This study also showed that the removal efficiency and adsorption capacity of FFA and carotene were also affected by contact time and bentonite concentration.
RESUMO
The implementation of this research consists of 2 (two) aspects: the making and testing of bio-briquettes called technological aspects and economic analysis called economic aspects. Bio-briquettes is made from cashew nutshell waste obtained from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is followed by pyrolysis, which is carried out in a simple batch type reactor by heating using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The bio-briquettes product has a calorific value of 29.49 MJ/kg, moisture content of 5.3%, ash content of 4.96%, volatile substances content of 17.16%, and carbon content of 72.62%, which meets the universally accepted bio-briquettes standard (SNI 016235-2000), Japanese, English and ISO 17225. The bio-briquettes product is suitable as an energy source. The economic analysis of the cashew nutshell was analyzed to determine its economic feasibility. For the bio-briquettes production capacity in 2,000 tons/year, cashew nut shell-briquettes products can be sold at 1,052,878 USD/year. The total production cost is USD842,304/year. The net profit is of USD147,402/year. The cost of LPG for 2,000 tons/year production capacity is USD954,358/years. The replacement of LPG with cashew seed bio-briquettes tends to help the average household of Muna Regency community to reduce the annual cost by 37.00%. In conclusion, bio-briquettes production's economic feasibility as analyzed from the investment rate is 23.55%, payout time is 3.42 years, and break-even point is 50.09%.
