Pemanfaatan Limbah Transesterifikasi Biodiesel sebagai Aditif untuk Meningkatkan Mutu Biopelet
Abstract
Energi alternatif yang potensial untuk dikembangkan salah satunya yaitu energi berbahan dasar limbah, seperti limbah biodiesel, sampah daun kering, dan kertas bekas dengan mengolahnya menjadi biopelet. Pengoptimalan pemanfaatan limbah biodiesel sebagai aditif merupakan upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan mutu, terutama nilai kalor biopelet. Penelitian ini bertujuan membuat, melakukan pegujian mutu dan analisis karakteristik biopelet sebagai energi bahan bakar alternatif yang ramah lingkungan. Perbandingan formulasi bahan yang digunakan yaitu A1 sebagai kontrol (100% daun kering), A2 (70% daun kering : 20% limbah biodiesel : 10% kertas), A3 (65% daun kering : 25% limbah biodiesel : 10% kertas), A4 (60% daun kering : 30% limbah biodiesel : 10% kertas), A5 (55% daun kering : 35% limbah biodiesel : 10% kertas), dan A6 (50% daun kering : 40% limbah biodiesel : 10% kertas). Parameter nilai mutu biopelet mengacu pada SNI 8675:2018. Formulasi terbaik diperoleh pada perlakuan A6 dengan nilai kerapatan 0,7 g/cm3, kadar air 13,1%, ketahanan 97,6%, kadar zat terbang 58,3%, kadar abu 7,6%, karbon terikat 34,1%, nilai kalor 17,8 MJ/kg, laju pembakaran 1,42 kg/jam, dan rasio energi sebesar 3,577 yang menunjukkan energi hasil produk biopelet lebih tinggi dari keperluan energi untuk proses produksinya (energi listrik dan manusia). Penambahan limbah biodiesel hasil samping transesterifikasi berpengaruh positif dalam meningkatkan mutu biopelet, terutama pada nilai kalor, karbon terikat, kerapatan dan ketahanan. One of the potential alternative energies to be developed is waste-based energy, such as biodiesel waste, dry leaf waste, and used paper by processing them into biopellets. Optimizing the utilization of biodiesel waste as an additive is an effort that can be made to improve quality, especially the calorific value of biopellets. This study aims to manufacture, conduct quality testing and analyze the characteristics of biopellets as an alternative fuel energy that is environmentally friendly. Comparison of the formulation of the ingredients used, namely A1 as a control (100% dry leaves), A2 (70% dry leaves: 20% biodiesel waste: 10% paper), A3 (65% dry leaves: 25% biodiesel waste: 10% paper), A4 (60% dry leaves : 30% biodiesel waste : 10% paper), A5 (55% dry leaves : 35% biodiesel waste : 10% paper), and A6 (50% dry leaves : 40% biodiesel waste : 10% paper ). The parameters for the quality value of biopellets refer to SNI 8675:2018. The best formulation was obtained in A6 treatment with a density value of 0.7 g/cm3, moisture content 13.1%, durability 97.6%, volatile matter content 58.3%, ash content 7.6%, bound carbon 34.1%, calorific value 17.8 MJ/kg, combustion rate 1.42 kg/hour, and an energy ratio of 3.577 which indicates that the energy produced by the biopellet product is higher than the energy required for pelletizing process (electrical and human energy). The addition of biodiesel waste as a by-product of transesterification has a positive effect on improving the quality of biopellets, especially on calorific value, bound carbon, density and durability.
