Potassium Recovery from Tropical Biomass Ash

• Main Author: Annisa Amalia - Nim: 13014063, Rinda Khairunnisah - Nim: 13014113 , Ratu
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/30256
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

<p align="justify">Biomass is a potential alternative fuel in Indonesia. Combustion of biomasss produces ash which still contains various beneficial compounds, one of which is potassium. The recovery of potassium from the residual ash of biomass combustion will provide added value from the biomass ash. Potassium can be used as raw material for making liquid fertilizer, thus reducing Indonesia’s dependence on fertilizer import. This study aims to assess the feasibility of potassium recovery from empty palm fruit bunches (EFB) ash, banana peel ash, corncob ash and coconut shell ash as alternative path of biomass combustion waste utilization through solid-liquid extraction process. <br /> <br /> <br /> The process of utilizing biomass ash includes the process of drying, burning, reashing and extraction. One-stage potassium extraction was carried out at 80°C for 4 hours using a mineral-free water. The results showed that the percentage of ash on dry mass basis for banana peel was 10.75% (w/w); while in EFB, corncobs, and coconut shell respectively amounted to 2.60%; 1.67%; and 0.74%. EDS analysis results showed that potassium content in banana peel ash sample was 58.47% (w/w), while in EFB, corncobs and coconut shell respectively 50.74%; 31.46%; and 37.24%. The results of the experiments also showed that the more solvent used, the more potassium can be extracted. The overall extraction for banana peel ash and EFB ash is feasible to be used as raw material for liquid fertilizer. Meanwhile, corn ash extraction with ash and solvent ratio is 1: 8 and all coconut husk ash extraction results is not feasible to be used as raw material for liquid fertilizer.<p align="justify"> <br /> <br />