KORELASI PENURUNAN KADAR KEKERUHAN DARI LCPKS DENGANKADAR AIR DAN KADAR ABU KARBON AKTIF PELEPAH SAWIT (Elaeis gueneensis Jacq.)

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent (LCPKS) is the main waste from the palm oil industry which has the greatest potential for environmental pollution. Turbidity is one of the pollution parameters in LCPKS because it affects the penetration of light into the water. Therefore, a cheap and efficient waste treatment is needed, namely the adsorption method. Palm frond (PS) is one of the materials that has potential to be developed as activated carbon because of its abundant availability, containing cellulose and lignin. Synthesis of activated carbon from palm fronds was carried out by carbonization and activation processes. The PS was carbonized at 600℃ for 1 hour to obtain palm frond charcoal (APS). Then, the APS was activated by using KOH solution with a ratio of APS and KOH is 1:1; 1:2 and 1:3 (g/g) in 100 mL aqua DM followed with physical activation in the microwave at 100 W of power with time of 5 minutes respectively to become palm midrib activated charcoal (AAPS). Water content and ash content in activated carbon measured gravimetrically turned out to have met the quality standard according to SNI 06-3730-1995.Water content and ash content in activated carbon influence the turbidity reduction process. Activated carbon A1M5 with the water content of 0.59% and ash content of 6.41% has shown as an adsorbent which can reduce the turbidity of LCPKS as much as 82.11%.