Graft copolymer of Amylopectin and PMMA was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The hydroxyl groups of amylopectin partially substituted with tert-butyl a-bromoisobutyrate to form tert-butyl a-bromoisobutyrate (TBBiB ) groups. This compound is known as an efficient macro-initiator for ATRP process. This research, aimed to obtain a bio based polymer of Amylopectin, in which the amylopectin was used as macro-initiator in the ATRP of MMA. The experiment was carried out in the homogeneous system under temperature range of 40 – 70°C in DMSO solution using TEA as catalyst. The modified amylopectin-TBBiB then was grafted to methyl methacrylate trough ATRP. Product characterization indicates that the graft copolymer Amylopectin-g-PMMA is efficient and the obtained product owns well defined structures

Biodiesel is one of plant-based fuel that has been made mandatory by the Indonesian government for using in transportation, industries, and power plants. This obligation is gradually applied as stipulated in the regulation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 12/2015 regarding to supply, use and plant-based fuel trade as alternative fuel. The percentage of biodiesel use was increasing from 20 % in 2016 to 30 % in 2030. The quality of biodiesel has to be continuously improved to support the regulation. Biodiesel with high performance has excellent flame characteristics, high oxidation stability and easy to flow at low temperature. These characteristics are highly determined by the composition of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Empirical equations were formulated based on primary data to predict the essential parameters of biodiesel, consisting of oxidation stability, cloud point, Iodine value, viscosity and density. The primary data were obtained by analyzing three biodiesel samples from domestic producers and two samples of biodiesel blend between palm stearin and soybean biodiesel. Identification results showed that all three samples have different FAME profiles which consist of palm oil biodiesel, palm stearin biodiesel and palm olein biodiesel. The empirical equations were formulated using statistical software and validated by comparing the calculated results with actual biodiesel parameters. This method reduced the testing time up to 13 working days and reduced testing cost up to 67% or IDR 1 190 000 per sample. The empirical equations formulated in this study were able to predict the essential parameters of biodiesel with the error was.

The Bubble Column Reactor (BCR) is intensive equipment used as a multiphase contactor and reactor in the chemical, biochemical, and petrochemical industries. BCR has some advantages include high mass and heat transfer rates, compactness, and low operating and maintenance costs. In this research, BCR was applied to produce biodiesel from Kemiri Sunan (Reutealis trisperma) Oil through non-catalytic and simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions. Kemiri Sunan Oil was fed in the reactor and heated to a specific temperature. During the heating process, nitrogen gas was flowed to prevent oxidation. Liquid methanol flowed at some various flow rates through a vaporizer and superheater so that it has flowed into the reactor in the form of saturated steam (1 atm, 240 ºC). Experiments with variations in the methanol flow rate were carried out at a reaction temperature of 250 ºC, while experiments with various temperatures were carried out at a methanol flow rate of 2.5 mL/min. The best conditions were obtained at a flow rate of 2.5 mL min with a reaction temperature of 290 ºC. The production rate was 3.47 g/min with an acid number of 0.69 mg KOH/gr sample, and FAME content was 78.2% wt. These results indicate the simultaneous esterification and transesterification reaction in one reactor.