Karakteristik Biochar Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit dengan Metode Retort Terbuka dan Tertutup

Abstract

Biochar is the result pyrolysis of biomass waste, in this case the waste of oil palm empty fruit bunch. The qualities of the final biochar product will vary depending on the pyrolysis technique method. The morphology of a biochar can be observed with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the surface area and pores can be observed with a Brunneauer Emmet Teller (BET), and the functional groups present in the biochar can be observed with a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. This study aims to look at the characteristics and get the best retort method in producing high quality oil palm empty fruit bunches biochar. Analysis of the surface and functional groups of biochar that has been made is carried out at the Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN). The results showed variations in the surface properties of biochar produced using various retort techniques. The results of the SEM-EDX analysis showed that biochar created using the closed retort method had a higher carbon content in both retort procedures and formed a larger and more porous surface pore shape than biochar produced using the open retort method. The results of the BET analysis showed that the surface area of the biochar produced by the closed retort method has a value 54,462 m2 /g is 7 (seven) times greater than that of the biochar produced by the open retort method, which has a value of 7,65 m2 /g. The pore sizes, which are classified as micropores, 15,376 Å for the closed retort method and 19,241 Å for the open retort method. The results of the FTIR analysis showed that biochar with the open retort method had 15 peaks with 9 functional groups and biochar with the closed retort method had 11 peaks with 8 functional groups.