ABSTRACT

This study purpose is to produce of biosorbent from rubber fruit shell by activator

using potassium hydroxide to reduce of free fatty acid content (FFA) and peroxide

value (PV) in CPO (Crude Palm Oil) at the optimum biosorbent dose and contact time.

The used materials used were crude palm oil (CPO), rubber fruit shell, potassium

hydroxide, and distilled water. The observed variables observed were adsorbent :

potassium hydroxide ratio and furnace temperature in adsorbent activation process,

contact time and biosorbent dose in adsorption process. This study was begun by

adsorbent modification, where the cleaned and crushed rubber sheed shell was

screened through 140 mesh and then it was furnaced at 600oC, 700oC, and 800oC.

Biosorbent was then activated using 30% potassium hydroxide at biosorbent to

potassium hydroxide ratio of 1:3 and 1:4. Biosorbent with the highest iodine number

was used to adsorp FFA and PV in CPO. The adsorption was performed by heating

100 grams of CPO at 90oC with 1000 rpm, and followed by biosorbent addition of 1.0

%, 1.5 %, and 2.0 % (the used CPO) at 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes of contact time, and

then the oil was filtered using vacuum filter. The results showed that the optimum

biosorbent to potassium hydroxide ratio was 1:4 at 800oC with iodine number of

1.180,449 mg/g. The optimum adsorbent dose was 1.0 % of the used CPO in 30

minutes of contact time with the highest FFA reduction at 2,13 % FFA content by

reduction percentage of 57,56 %, and PV reduction with peroxide value of 0,00247

meq/kg by reduction percentage of 72,56 %. This study showed that adsorbent from

rubber fruit shell by KOH activation was effective to reduce FFA content and PV in

CPO.

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