Distillation-Adsorption of Bioethanol Using Natural Kaolin

Bioethanol has been known as one of the alternative energy sources to replace petroleum. The use of bioethanol as a fuel has requirements that must meet fuel standards or refer to as Fuel Grade Ethanol (FGE). Further refining is required to achieve this qualification. The distillation method is the most commonly used method in bioethanol purification, but the results are less than optimal and sometimes the ethanol produced will be more volatile. Distillation-adsorption method using clay-based materials was developed to solve this problem. The purpose of this study is to purify bioethanol and determine the physical characteristics of the bioethanol produced and to assess the % purity of bioethanol from adsorption distillation. Characterization of activated natural kaolin as adsorbent, determination of the optimum contact time in the distillation-adsorption process, determination of the optimum mass of kaolin used and determination of the physical properties of bioethanol have been carried out. The results showed that 1 hour adsorption distillation could increase the ethanol content from 7.9% to 29.33%. In the study of the effect of the mass of kaolin, the optimum result was 25.25% ethanol using a mass of 5 grams. physical properties test of bioethanol obtained a density of 0.8211 gr/cm3 and a viscosity of 2.096 cps.

Review on technologies to separate and purify ethyl alcohol from dilute aqueous solutions

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is viewed upon as a fuel additive or even as an alternative fuel. Fermentation is used to produce dilute (<20 mass%) ethanol. This is needed to be concentrated to almost anhydrous, fuel grade ethanol (>99.5 mass%). The technologies used for concentration from dilute grade to fuel grade ethanol are summarized in this review. Thus, extraction; distillation; use of membranes; adsorption and some miscellaneous methods are discussed in detail. For each technique, the inlet and outlet concentrations; merits and demerits and scope for future work are indicated. Hybrid separations are discussed. In addition to technical feasibility, economic viability of the techniques is also discussed. A brief discussion on current industrial practice is also presented.

Pengaruh Waktu Aging pada Sintesis Zeolit Linde Type-A (LTA) dari Zeolit Alam Lampung (ZAL) dengan Metode Step Change Temperature of Hydrothermal

AbstrakZeolit Lynde Type-A (LTA) merupakan zeolit yang tergolong dalam kadar Si/Al rendah. Zeolit LTA memiliki berbagai kegunaan, antara lain sebagai adsorben, katalis, membran, penukar ion, maupun molecular sieve. Zeolit LTA sebagai molecular sieve memiliki kemampuan dehidrasi yang tinggi sehingga dapat digunakan untuk dehidrasi air pada campuran bioetanol-air agar diperoleh bioetanol yang sesuai dengan FGE (Fuel Grade Ethanol), yaitu kemurnian mencapai >99%. Zeolit LTA dapat menyerap air di dalam bioetanol dikarenakan sifat Zeolit LTA yang hidrofilik. Penelitian ini mengkaji pengaruh waktu aging agar diperoleh persen kristalinitas relative zeolit LTA yang tinggi. Variasi waktu aging pada penelitian ini adalah 0 jam, 15 jam, 30 jam, dan 45 jam. Tahapan sintesis zeolit dilakukan pada sebuah water bath secara hidrotermal dengan metode step change temperature, yaitu pada suhu 90oC selama 1,5 jam dan 95oC selama 2,5 jam. Hasil sintesis dianalisis menggunakan SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transmission Infra Red), BET (Brunaur, Emmet And Teller), dan XRD (X-Ray Diffracton). Berdasarkan analisis FTIR, hasil sintesis mempunyai ciri khas Zeolit LTA yaitu double rings pada bilangan gelombang 550-600 cm-1, persen kristalinitas relatif tertinggi yang didapatkan dari hasil analisis XRD adalah sebesar 66,15%, hasil analisis SEM menunjukkan morfologi Zeolit LTA berbentuk kubus, dan berdasarkan analisis BET didapatkan isotherm adsorpsi tipe ketiga.Kata kunci : Bioetanol, Fuel Grade Ethanol, Metode Step Change Temperature, molecular sieve, waktu aging, Zeolit Lynde Type-A (LTA), Zeolit Alam Lampung