Limited fossil energy resources need to encourage renewable energy development and energy conservation it is called green energy development. One of the alternative energy sources used are bioethanol, from low grade is converted into high grade through distillation process with distillator compact that will be used as a mixture of gasoline. Tests compact distillator consisting of evaporator Indonesia Kampus, separator, and condenser by utilizing exhaust gas to heat distillator already filled with low grade bioethanol, so the heat transfer occurs on the surface of the exhaust into the evaporator chamber. In the evaporator will transform ethanol into the vapor phase. Ethanol vapor flows into the separator, with a mechanism in it is expected that water vapor will evaporate participate separately with ethanol vapor. Ethanol vapors from this distillation will flow to the condenser and will be turned into liquid, the liquid is as high grade bioethanol would be the fuel mixing gasoline. In early studies, distillation rate was 98.5 ml/h with 67% ethanol content. Optimization compact distillator is done by adding the valve at the evaporator branch. When heat has reached 80°C exhaust gas flow to the evaporator chamber is closed. As a result, the heat from the evaporator can be detained and not rise significantly. Further optimization is to change the design of the separator through theoretical and empirical calculations with some assumptions based on the rule of thumb in the field of distillation, adding insulation to reduce heat leakage, as well as varying the feed volume and feed concentrate ethanol. In the end, based on the parameters of the distillation rate and ethanol concentrate, compact distillator with distances between tray 100 mm, volume 800 ml, engine speed 5.400 rpm can produce distillation rate of 274.3 ml/hr and ethanol concentrate of 88.97%.
INVESTMENTS IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES