Utilization of Rubber Fruit Shells as Activated Carbon for Color Waste Management of Palembang Songket Crafts

Abstract

This study aims to determine the characteristics of activated carbon from rubber fruit shell and its potential to adsorb color waste produced by Songket craft home industry in Palembang city. This study applied varied carbonization temperature i.e. 500°C, 550°C, 600°C, and 650°C and different activators: KOH and H3PO4. Data obtained from this research were then compared to Indonesian National Standard and Indonesian Industry Standard. Findings show that the optimum content of moisture, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon obtained from sample which is carbonized at 650°C and activated by 20% KOH are 1.09%, 3.55%, 30.17%, and 66.28%, respectively. Its optimum ability to adsorb iodine, methylene blue, and benzene are 201.25 mg/g, 19.26 mg/g, and 13.32%. This activated carbon can adsorb procion blue about 2.31 mg/g. This study suggests a new recommendation to combine this activated carbon with zeolite in a particular formulation to improve its ability to adsorb dye waste produced from Palembang Songket crafts.