COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVATOR HCl AND NaOH ON PALM SHELL ACTIVATED CARBON IN CRUDE PALM OIL (CPO) REFINING

Abstract

This study aims to utilize palm kernel shell (CKS) waste as a raw material for chemically activated carbon using HCl and NaOH. The resulting activated carbon was applied in the purification of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Characterization was conducted using XRD, FTIR, and SEM instruments to observe crystal structure, functional groups, and surface morphology. Results showed that activated carbon had exhibited smoother and more uniform surfaces compared to the unactivated sample. CPO purification effectiveness was analyzed based on the reduction of free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value, moisture content, and color changes. Optimal results were achieved using NaOH 3M with 72,62% FFA reduction, 64,44% peroxide value reduction, 0.11% moisture content, and color improvement to a scale of 10 on the Lovibond Tintometer. Therefore, NaOH 3M activated carbon exhibited the highest adsorptive performance in CPO purification.

ABSTRAK

Penelitian ini bertujuan dalam memanfaatkan limbah cangkang kelapa sawit (CKS) sebagai bahan baku karbon aktif yang diaktivasi secara kimia menggunakan HCl dan NaOH. Karbon aktif yang dihasilkan digunakan dalam proses pemurnian Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Karakterisasi dilakukan menggunakan instrumen XRD, FTIR, dan SEM untuk mengetahui struktur kristal, gugus fungsi, dan morfologi permukaan karbon aktif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa karbon aktif teraktivasi memiliki permukaan lebih halus dan rata dibandingkan sebelum aktivasi. Efektivitas pemurnian CPO dianalisis berdasarkan penurunan kadar free fatty acid (FFA), bilangan peroksida, kadar air, dan perubahan warna. Hasil optimal diperoleh pada aktivator NaOH 3M dengan penurunan FFA sebesar 72,62%, bilangan peroksida 64,44%, kadar air 0,11%, dan perubahan warna hingga skala 10 pada Lovibond Tintometer. Dengan demikian, karbon aktif NaOH 3M menunjukkan efektivitas tertinggi dalam proses pemurnian CPO.