“Emerging Challenges in Chemical Engineering

Research, Education, and Industries”

PROCEEDINGS
Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering
(RSCE 2013)
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
November 12 – 13, 2013

Organized by the

Chemical Engineering Department

De La Salle University-Manila
in cooperation with

Chemical Engineering Society (CHEN)

De La Salle University-Manila
REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM
ON CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2013
(RSCE 2013)
**********************************

“Emerging Challenges in Chemical Engineering Research,

Education, and Industries”

Alona Kew White Beach Resort

Panglao Island, Bohol
Philippines

November 12-13, 2013

Organized by:

Chemical Engineering Department

De La Salle University-Manila

In cooperation with:

Chemical Engineering Society (CHEN)

De La Salle University-Manila
 PROCEEDINGS
© 2013
Chemical Engineering Department
De La Salle University

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The materials published in this book may be reproduced, used,
and/or excerpted accompanied always by a citation that acknowledges their publication in
this Book of Abstracts and with proper credit to the 20th Regional Symposium on Chemical
Engineering (RSCE 2013), the Chemical Engineering Department in cooperation with the
Chemical Engineering Society (CHEN) of De La Salle University as Organizer and
Publisher.

ISBN 971-555-497-0

“Emerging Challenges in Chemical Engineering Research, Education, and Industries”

20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering

(RSCE 2013)

Chemical Engineering Department

Gokongwei College of Engineering
De La Salle University
2401 Taft Ave, Malate, Manila PHILIPPINES 1004
Tel: 02 536-0257 | 02 524-4611 Ext 222 || Fax: 02 524-0563
Email: rsce2013.dlsu@gmail.com
URL: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/conferences/rsce/

Printed in the Philippines

20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

TECHNICAL PAPERS

Module A: Biomass

A1 The Optimization of Biodiesel Synthesis from Used Cooking Oil

Using Ozone Technology
Edy Purwanto and Lieke Riadi

A2 Emissions and Performance of Diesel Engine Using Blends of

Waste Cooking Oil Methyl Ester & Diesel
J. K. Magboo, S. L. Ariate, S. A. Roces, and N. P. Dugos

A3 Phycoremediation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Spirulina

platensis in an Open Raceway Pond
Rajkumar Renganathan and Mohd Sobri Takriff

A4 Non-Isothermal Pyrolysis Kinetics of Kraft Pulp Mill Sludge Cake:

The Thermogravimetric Study
Syamsudin and Herri Susanto Tobias Richards

A5 Inedible Feedstock: Optimization of Pangium edule Reinw

Triglyceride Acid Pre-treatment and Methanolysis Processes Using
Response Surface Methodology in Biodiesel Production
Azhari, Syafari, and Turmizi

A6 Optimization of Operating Conditions for Rubber Seed Oil

Extraction
H. Santoso, B. Rusli, and D. A. Novenanda

A7 Biogas Production from Anaerobically Co-Digested Pineapple

(Ananas comosus) Peels and Swine Manure
M. V. Tampus, R. C. Agapay, A. F. Ayop, M. C. Lamparas, B. H. H.
Sagun, R. L. D. Cinco, R. J. G. Ruinata, and J. J. B. Taborada

A8 Impact of High Electric Field Pulses on Cell Disintegration and Oil

Extraction from Palm Fruit Mesocarp
K. Paoplook and M.N. Eshtiaghi

A9 Modification of Shellac by Polymerization with Adipic Acid and

Phtalic Anhydride
Rochmadi, Mujiyono, M. Yulef, and T.S. Wisnu

A10 Enhancement of Lipid Content in Microalgae Tetraselmis sp. as

Raw Material for Biodiesel through Starvation Method and
Addition of Malathion
M Syaifuddin Maruf, Affifah Ambar R, Matin Nuhamunada, and Siti
Syamsiah
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

A11 Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Spray Drying of

Food Products: A review
J. T. M. Manuel

A12 Application of Nonionic Surfactants in Enzymatic Hydrolysis of

Palm Fiber for Ethanol Production
Jatuporn Parnthong and Suratsawadee Kungsanant

A13 Biodiesel Production from Palm Oil Using Double Promoted

Catalyst CaO/KI/- Al2O3 in Fixed Bed Reactor
Nyoman Puspa Asri, Kusno Budikaryono, Suprapto, and Achmad
Roesyadi

A14 Preliminary Study on the Synthesis of Bioethanol from Tapioca

Starch Using High Gravity Simultaneous Saccharification and
Fermentation (SSF) Method
A. K. Sugih, A. P. Kristijarti, H. Muljana, P.B. Kusuma, T. M.
Anggraini, and N. Mulyono

A15 Multi-regional Water Footprint Optimization of the Bioethanol

Supply Chain
Nguyen Thi Hoa, Michael Angelo Promentilla, and Kathleen B. Aviso

A16 Characterization of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters of Bauhinia

monandrakurz (Alibangbang) Seed Oil for Potential Diesel Fuel
Source
Aurea Elaine L. Dayrit, Abby Claire S. Rotor, Mark Vincent C.
Espinosa, and Maria Natalia R. Dimaano

A17 Methyl Ester Synthesis of High Fatty Acid Feedstock in Plug Flow
System
Van Dinh Son Tho, Nguyen Anh Vu, Tran Huu Khanh, and To Kim Anh

A18 Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) of Chlorogenic Acid from

Coffee liberica L.
J. S. Lim, M. E. Ong, A. M. Ros, M. M. Uy, and J. Q. Borja

A19 Furfural Synthesis by Acid Catalysis from Agricultural Residues

in the Philippines
R. D. Guerrero, T. P. Tumolva, and M. Kubuochi

A20 Selection of Gasification Technology for Fertilizer Plant

Andri Wibawa Syarip and Herri Susanto

A21 Life Cycle Analysis of an Alternative to the Haber-Bosch Process:

Non-Renewable Energy Usage and Global Warming Potential of
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

Liquid Ammonia from Cyanobacteria

L. F. Razon

A22 Effect of Coconut Cell Biochar on the Release of Nitrogen, Kalium,

and Phosphor from the Modified Chemical Fertilizer
Himawan Tri Bayu Murti Petrus, Moh. Farrurrozi, and Putut Jatmiko
A23 Development of Quantitative Model for Predicting H 2S Removal
from Biogas using Microbial Film
R.A.S. Lestari, W.B. Sediawan, S. Syamsiah, and Sarto

A24 Enhanced Application of Anaerobic Co-digestion Process and

Recovery of Biogas from Bio-solids
Thanh Tran, Phuong Nguyen Ngoc Loan, and Giang Lam Van

A25 Influence of Biomass Pyrolysis Condition on Produced Char in

Fluidized Bed Reactor
T. Iwasaki and T. Kojima

A26 Upgrading of a Wide Variety of Low-Grade Carbonaceous

Resources, Biomass, Peat, Lignite, and Sub-Bituminous Coals, by
Mild Solvent Treatment
R. Ashida, H. Fujitsuka, K. Iwase, Z. Zheng, J. Wannapeera, N.
Worasuwannarak, X. Li, M. Kawase, and K. Miura

A27 Fast Pyrolysis of Malaysia Bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) via

Fluidized Bed Reactor
N. B. Osman, K. H. Ping, Y. Uemura, and N. B. Ali

A28 Effect on Fluidized Bed Gasification Rate of Biomass Char of

Carbonaceous Deposit on Bed Particles during Rapid Pyrolysis
S. Murayama, T. Iwasaki, H. Suganuma, S. Satokawa, and T. Kojima

A29 An Input-Output Inoperability Model (IIM) for Assessing Disaster

Vulnerability of the Philippines as a Result of Implementing a
Biofuel Policy
K. B. Aviso, K. D. S. Yu, M. A. B. Promentilla, J. R. Santos, R. R. Tan

A30 Comparison of Thermal Methods for Stabilization of Rice Bran

I Dewa Gede Arsa Putrawan and Shobih

A31 Effect of Treated and Untreated Fiber Loading on the Mechanical

and Morphological Properties of Water Hyacinth
Fiber/Orthophthalic Unsaturated Polyester Composites
Terence P. Tumolva, John Francis L. Abrea III, Karl Rodney D.
Cerezo, and Lady Christine C. Cruz

A32 Effect of CO2 Concentration on the Biomass and Lipid

20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

Productivities and Yield of Tetraselmis tetrahele Cultivated in a

Bench-Scale Photobioreactor System
Jerwina Mariel O. Arnejo, Ian Dominic F. Tabañag, Jose Alfonso A.
Casurra, Ma. Aimee Lyn P. Cequiña, Karmela Sheryl I. Malinao, and
Evelyn B. Taboada

A33 Effect of Light Intensity and Photoperiod on the Biomass

Productivity of Tetraselmis tetrahele in a Batch Photobioreactor
Ian Dominic F. Tabañag and Evelyn B. Taboada
A34 Process of Hydrolyzate Detoxification Using Charcoal Fines and
Calcium Hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]for Improved Ethanol Yield
M.S.B. Kaamiño-Ramos
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

REFERENCE NO. : A23

Development of Quantitative Model for Predicting H2S Removal

from Biogas using Microbial Film
R.A.S. Lestari
Chemical Engineering Department
17 Agustus 1945 University, Semarang, Indonesia
Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Email: retnol@yahoo.com

W.B. Sediawan, S. Syamsiah, and Sarto

Chemical Engineering Department
Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Email: ssyamsiah@chemeng.ugm.ac.id

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic and odorous compound presents in biogas produced by the
anaerobic digestion of biomass. In the utilization of biogas, the presence of hydrogen sulfide
is undesirable, due to its corrosive properties to metal parts of internal combustion engines.
The removal of hydrogen sulfide in biogas by bio-filter on packed bed was investigated. In
this study, a mathematical model considering gas to bio-film mass transfer and bio-oxidation
in the bio-film is developed. The mathematical model, a set of simultaneous ordinary
differential equations, was then solved numerically and the accuracy of the model was tested
by experimental data from literature. In this model, since the bio-film is relatively thin, the
concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the bio-film is assumed to be uniform.
Key words : biogas, bio-filter, bio-film, hydrogen sulfide.

INTRODUCTION 10,000 ppm, is able to cause corrosion to the

Biogas is the result of the anaerobic digestion
process of biodegradable substances. Anaerobic
digestion is the process in which organic
materials are degraded by anaerobic bacteria
which happens in three steps are hydrolysis,
fermentation (acidogenesis and acetogenesis ) and
methane fermentation ( Yadvika et al., 2004 ).
Biogas composition are 55-70% vol CH4, 30-45%
vol CO2, and 0-1.5% vol H2S (Schomaker et al.
2000). Hydrogen sulfide is present in biogas
produced from the degradation of proteins and
other sulfur containing compounds present in the
organic feed stock to the digester (Syed et
al.,2006). H2S is colorless , toxic, that is
responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs.
(Rattanapan, 2009). Hydrogen sulfide as a
nuisance compound is one major problem in
biogas utilization. H2S in biogas in the range 50-
engines and pipe lines especially when used as
fuel for producing electricity (Pipatmanomai,
2008).
By removing the H2S the use of biogas can
enhanced. There are several processes to remove
H2S from biogas including physical, chemical,
and biological processes. A number of methods
of physical and chemical including absorption,
combustion, masking, and scrubbing have been
used to remove H2S from industrial waste gas
streams. But those physicochemical methods have
high energy requirements, high chemical disposal,
high costs and result in the production of
secondary pollutants (Namini et al., 2007).
Biological processes have been recognized as the
most efficient technologies for H2S removal
because it is inexpensive and cause no
environmental pollution (Deng et al., 2009). One
of the most important biological process for H2S
removal is bio-filtration (Rattanapan, 2009).
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

Bio-filtration was investigated for this

application. In bio-filters, gas stream through a
filter bed consisting of porous packing materials
that serve as supporting media for microbial
attachment to metabolize volatile compounds
contained in the gas phase (Boldu et al., 2008)
The process in bio-filter are two steps. Firstly, the
pollutant is transferred from the gas stream to the
liquid film and adsorbed on a solid medium, then
microbes living in the liquid phase or on the
packing material action to biodegrade pollutant
Therefore, the operating conditions of the bio-
filter and supporting material are important
parameter to consider (Rattanapan, 2009). The
removal of hydrogen sulfide in biogas by bio- Fig 1. Bio-film Scheme
filter on packed bed was investigated. In this
study, a mathematical model considering gas to Figure 1, gas stream containing H2S flows past a
bio-film mass transfer and bio-oxidation in the bio-film. The bio-film contains microorganism
bio-film is developed. and is considered to be fixed to the media. H2S
from the biogas is transferred to the bio-film, and
OBJECTIVES then bacterial action in the water biodegrades the
H2S . The fundamental processes are the transfer
This paper focuses on the development of bio- of H2S from gas stream to the bio-film, H2S
filter model to remove H2S from a biogas stream absorption in the bio-film, and bacterial action in
in a packed bed. The bio-filter model developed the bio-film to biodegrade the H2S compounds.
was solved by the finite difference method. The
model considered biodegradation of the H2S concentration is considered to be uniform
compounds within the bacterial film, The for a given height in the bio-filter. The bio-film
accuracy of the model was tested by experimental concentration profile may be horizontal (uniform
data obtained from literature (Fisher, 2010). concentration in bio-film) or vary throughout the
bio-film depth. If effective bio-film thickness (δ)
THEORITICAL DEVELOPMENT is relatively small, concentration gradient in the
bio-film, can be assumed to be uniform (Cs=Csi).
The bio-filter can be considered a two phase Concentration profile is presented in Figure 2.
system. The two phase system would include the
gas and liquid (bio-film) phases. A conceptual
schematic of the two phase system is presented in
Figure 1.

Fig. 2 Profile of concentration H2S in the model

20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

The general mass balance of H2S in bio-film :

Rate of – Rate of – Rate of = Rate of
Rate of – Rate of – Rate of = Rate of Input Output Reaction Accumulation
Input Output Reaction Accumulation
Cg
d CS G.Cg  (G.Cg  kG .(Cg  Cgi ).aS .S..Z )  S..Z .
kC a (Cg – Cgi) – 0 – a δ rA = a δ Z Z  Z t
dt
d CS kG G.C g  G.C g C g
 (Cg – Cgi) - rA .................... (1) Z  Z Z
 kG (C g  C gi )aS S  S
dt  z t
Because Cgi is in equilibrium with Cs, and
the equilibrium is assumed to follow coefficient If limit  z  0 :
of distribution, so :
Cgi = Hs*Cs .......................................... (2) C g C g
The biodegradation rate H2S (rA) is approximate G  kG (C g  C gi )as S  S ………..(5)
by Monod equation: z t
 max Cs
rA  ..................................... (3) For pseudo steady state process in gas phase,
Cs  K S
If effective bio-film thickness to be degradation is C g
δ, the rate of increase of the mass of = 0, equation (8) becomes :
microorganisms is : t
dm
 Y .rA .a. G dC g kG aS
dt 0  (C g  C gi )
where Y is H2S yield coefficient. If mass of S dz 
microorganism m = ρ a  , where ρ is mass of
dC g kG aS S
microorganism for volume of bio-film, the  (C g  C gi ) …..……(6)
equation becomes: dz G
d
 .a  Y .rA .a.. In conclusion, the mathematical model
dt representing the process a set of equation 1, 2, 3,
d Y 4,5 and 6. To verify the accuracy of the
 .rA.. …………..…………….(4)
dt  mathematical model, the experimental data from
Fischer ( 2010) are applied.
Mass balance of H2S in gas stream for thickness
of element volume of Δz :
RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Fischer (2010) used bio-filter was composed of a

flexi-glass column. The diameter was 5 cm ID,
with a height of 50 cm and a packing height of 20
Z+∆Z cm. Packing material composed of small gravel
+ (3-6 mm diameter) inoculated with activated
S Z
Z sludge conditioned in an A. ferroxidant media.
Z The mixed gas entered through a port in the
bottom of the column where it passed through a
gas diffuser to aid in more uniform gas
distribution across the bio-filter. The packed bed
S bio-filter received 5-12L/hr of inlet gas flow,
Fig 3. Element Volume in Bio-filter
synthesized biogas mixed with humidified air,
H2S ranging from 1015–1645 ppmv. The packing
material characteristics are : particle diameter cm
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines
0.36±0.11, particle density 2.51±0.19 g/cm3, and
surface area : 4.4 ±2.86 cm2.
Since the concentration of H2S in the feed was not
constant and the data correlating the
concentration were very limited, in this study the
concentration of H2S in the feed is assumed to be
constant at 0.083 % vol. The start-up period of
the bio-filter was 5 days and the data reported by
Fisher (2010) began at time = 5 days. Hence, the
developed model simulates the process starting
from time = 5 days.
At that time the thickness of bio-film is assume to
be very small (0.0005 cm). The value of µmax
(1/day), KS(g/cm3), kG(cm/sec), HS((g/cm3)/
(g/cm3)), Y(g/g) were adjusted in such a way so
that the simulation results close to the
experimental data.
It turns out that the appropriate values of the
parameters are µmax = 0,0005 (1/day), KS = 0,003
(g/cm3), kG = 0,0045 (cm/sec), Hs = 0,3 ((g/cm3)/
(g/cm3)), and Y = 4.
The comparison between the simulation results
and the experimental data is shown in Figure 4.
Fig. 4. Outlet [H2S], biogas inlet added day 5 (1psig,25oC)
It can be observed at figure 4 that the simulation
results are close to the experimental data. So it
can be concluded that the mathematic model
proposed can be applied to describe the removal
of H2S from biogas using bio-filter in packed bed.
From the running of the simulation, it turns out
that kG strongly effects the concentration of H2S
at the outlet gas after the process is relatively
stable (time greater than 7 days). On the other
hand, µmax and Y strongly effect the rate to
achieve the stable process.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The mathematical model proposed can be
applied to describe the removal of H2S
from biogas using bio-filter in packed
bed.
2. The values of the parameters obtained are
µmax = 0,0005 (1/day), KS = 0,003 (g/cm3),
kG = 0,0045 (cm/sec), HS = 0,3 ((g/cm3)/
(g/cm3)), and Y = 4.
3. The value of kG strongly effects the
concentration of H2S at the outlet gas
after the process is relatively stable.
4. The values of µmax and Y strongly effect
the rate to achieve the stable process.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge
Directorate General of Higher Educations of
Indonesia, for financial support of this work
through scholarship of doctorate program
(BPPDN) at Gadjah Mada University and through
research grant of Hibah Bersaing 2013.
LITERATUR
Boldu, F.X., Illa, J., van Groenestijn, J.W. and
Flotats, X., (2008). Influence of synthetic
packing materials on the gas dispersion
and biodegradation kinetics in fungal air
biofilters. Applied Microbiology
Biotechnology, 79, 319–327.
[8]Deng, L., Chen, Z., Liu, Y., Pu, X. and Song,
L., (2009). Process of simultaneous
hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas and
nitrogen removal from swine wastewater.
Bioresource Technology, 100, 5600-5608.
Fischer, M., E., (2010). Biogas
purification: H2S Removal using
20th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2013)
November 12-13, 2013
Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Bohol, Philippines

Bio-filtration. MASc thesis , using Different Techniques - a Review.

Grad. Dept. of Chemical Engrg, Bioresource Technology, 95(1), 1-10.
University of Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada.

Lastella, G., Testa, C., Cornacchia,

G., Notornicola, M., Voltasio, F.,
Sharma, V., K., (2002). Anaerobic
digestion of semi-solid organic
waste: Biogas production and its
purification. Energy Conversion and
Management. 43(1), 63-75.

Namini, M., T., Heydarian, S., M.,

Bonakdarpour, B., (2007). Removal of
H2S from synthetic waste gas stream using
a bio-tricling filter. Iranian Chemical
Engineering Journal, 5(3), 40-51

Pipatmanomai, S., Kaewluan, S., and

Vitidsant, T., (2008). Economic
assessment of biogas to electricity
generation system with H2S removal by
activated carbon in small pig farm.
Applied Energy, 86, 669-674.

Rattanapan, C., Boonsawang, P. and

Kantachote , D., (2009). Removal of H2S
in downflow GAC biofiltration using sulfide
oxidizing bacteria from concentrated latex
wastewater. Bioresource Technology,. 100,
125-130.

Shahmansouri, M., A., Taghipour, H., Bina, B.,

Movahdian, H., (2005). Biological
removal of ammonia from contminated air
stream using biofiltration system. Iran. J.
Environ. Health. Sci. Eng. 2 (2), 17-25

Syed, M., Soreanu, G., Flletta, P., and Beland,

M.,(2006), Removal of hydrogen sulfide
from gas strean using biological process.
Wastewater Technology Centre
Environment Canada, 867, Ontario,
Canada.

Yadvika, Santosh, Sreekrishnan, T. R., Kohli,

S., Rana, V., (2004). Enhancement of
Biogas Production from Solid Substrates