Pengaruh Variasi Penambahan Katalis Zeolit Terhadap Proses Pirolisis Limbah Plastik Jenis PS Polystyrene Sebagai Produksi Bahan Bakar Alternatif

The Effect of Variations in Zeolite Catalyst Addition on the Pyrolysis Process of PS Polystyrene Plastic Waste for the Production of Alternative Fuels

Peningkatan penggunaan plastik jenis polystyrene, khususnya styrofoam, telah menyebabkan akumulasi limbah yang sulit terurai dan menimbulkan permasalahan lingkungan. Salah satu teknologi yang berpotensi mengatasi permasalahan tersebut adalah pirolisis, yaitu proses dekomposisi termal tanpa oksigen yang mampu mengonversi limbah plastik menjadi bahan bakar cair. Namun, proses pirolisis tanpa katalis umumnya menghasilkan kualitas minyak yang kurang optimal. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh variasi penambahan katalis zeolit terhadap yield, densitas, viskositas, nilai kalor, flash point, dan analisis FTIR. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen dengan bahan baku 500 gram limbah styrofoam bungkus makanan dan katalis zeolit yang telah diaktivasi asam. Proses pirolisis dilakukan pada suhu 420°C dengan variasi penambahan katalis sebesar 10%, 20%, dan 30% dari massa bahan baku. Karakteristik minyak pirolisis diuji berdasarkan standar ASTM melalui pengujian densitas (ASTM D1298), viskositas (ASTM D445), nilai kalor (ASTM D240), flash point (ASTM D93), serta analisis gugus fungsi menggunakan FTIR. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa proses pirolisis jenis plastik polystyrene dengan penambahan katalis zeolit yang menghasilkan karakteristik nilai densitas yang mendekati dengan bahan bakar biodiesel dengan variasi katalis zeolit 30% memperoleh 0,9146 Kg/L. Nilai viskositas pada variasi katalis zeolit 30% mendekati dengan biodiesel dengan nilai 8,58 cSt. Nilai kalor pada variasi katalis zeolit 10% dengan nilai 43,3 Mj/Kg mendekati bahan bakar biodiesel dan variasi katalis zeolit 30% dengan nilai 43,6 Mj/Kg mendekati bahan bakar solar. Flash point pada variasi katalis zeolit 30% dengan nilai 144ºC mendekati dengan bahan bakar biodiesel. Dari hasil yang didapat nilai densitas, viskositas, nilai kalor, dan flash point dapat disimpulkan bahwa karakteristik minyak pirolisis polystyrene dengan penambahan katalis zeolit 30% mendekati dengan bahan bakar biodiesel.

The increasing use of polystyrene (PS) plastic, particularly styrofoam, has led to the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste, creating significant environmental problems. One promising technology to address this issue is pyrolysis, a thermal decomposition process carried out in the absence of oxygen that can convert plastic waste into liquid fuel. However, pyrolysis without a catalyst produces pyrolysis oil with less optimal quality. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of zeolite catalyst addition on the yield, density, viscosity, calorific value, flash point, and FTIR characteristics of pyrolysis oil. This study employed an experimental method using 500 grams of food-packaging styrofoam waste and acid-activated zeolite catalyst. The pyrolysis process was conducted at a temperature of 420°C with catalyst concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight of the feedstock. The characteristics of the pyrolysis oil were evaluated according to ASTM standards, including density (ASTM D1298), viscosity (ASTM D445), calorific value (ASTM D240), flash point (ASTM D93), and functional group analysis using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the pyrolysis of polystyrene plastic with the addition of a zeolite catalyst produced fuel characteristics comparable to commercial fuels. The density value obtained with the 30% zeolite catalyst was 0.9146 kg/L, which was close to that of biodiesel. The viscosity value at the same catalyst concentration reached 8.58 cSt, also approaching the properties of biodiesel. The calorific value of the oil produced with the 10% zeolite catalyst was 43.3 MJ/kg, similar to biodiesel, while the 30% zeolite catalyst produced a calorific value of 43.6 MJ/kg, which was close to diesel fuel. The flash point of the oil produced with the 30% zeolite catalyst was 144°C, closely matching that of biodiesel. Based on the density, viscosity, calorific value, and flash point results, it can be concluded that pyrolysis oil derived from polystyrene with the addition of 30% zeolite catalyst exhibits characteristics that are comparable to biodiesel fuel.