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A highly active and selective hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural into furfuryl alcohol was achieved using supported single phase Ni3Sn2 alloy catalysts. Various supports such as active carbon (AC), -Al2O3, Al(OH)3, ZnO, TiO2, ZrO2, MgO, Li-TN, and SiO2 have been employed in order to understand the role of the support on the formation of Ni3Sn2 alloy phase and its catalytic performance. Supported Ni3Sn2 alloy catalysts were synthesised via a simple hydrothermal treatment of the mixture of aqueous solution of nickel chloride hexahydrate and ethanol solution of tin(II) chloride dihydrate in presence of ethylene glycol at 423 K for 24 h followed by H2 treatment at 673 K for 1.5 h, then characterised by using ICP-AES, XRD, H2-and N2-adsorption. XRD profiles of samples showed that the Ni3Sn2 alloy phases are readily formed during hydrothermal processes and become clearly observed at 2θ = 43-44 o after H2 treatment. The presence of Ni3Sn2 alloy species that dispersed on the supports is believed to play a key role in highly active and selective hydrogenation of biomass-derived furfural towards furfuryl alcohol. Ni3Sn2 on TiO2 and ZnO supports exhibited much lower reaction temperature to achieved >99% yield of furfuryl alcohol product compared with other supports. The effects of loading amount of Ni-Sn, reaction conditions (temperature and time profile) on the activity and selectivity towards the desired product are systematically discussed.

Biodiesel conversion from transesterification reaction palm oil with methanol was studied by using an ash of palm empty bunch as a base catalyst. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and indicator titration analysis were used as tools for characterization of ash sample. Chemical structure of biodiesel was analyzed by GC-MS. The effects of ash sample weight (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g) immersed in 75 mL methanol and the methanol-palm oil mol ratio (3:1; 6:1; 9:1 and 12:1) toward the conversion of biodiesel were investigated. Biodiesel was prepared by refluxing palm oil and methanol containing ash sample. The reflux was done at room temperature for 2 h. Ester layer was distillated at 74 oC, extracted with aquadest and then dried using Na2SO4 anhydrous. The product was characterized by GC-MS, ASTM D 1298 (specific gravity 60/60 °F), ASTM D 97 (pour point), ASTM D 2500 (cloud point), ASTM D 93 (flash point), ASTM D 445 (kinematics viscosity 40 °C) and ASTM D 482 (ash content). The result of GC-MS analysis showed that methyl palmitate is primary content of biodiesel product. A 15 g weight of ash sample gave the maximum biodiesel conversion. By increasing methanol mole quantity, biodiesel conversion increased progressively and maximum at 9:1 methanol-palm oil ratio (84.12 %) and decreased on 12:1 ratio (75.58 %). Most of the biodiesel products were similar to those of the diesel physical characters.   Keywords: Biodiesel conversion, transesterification, palm oil, palm empty bunch

Polysulfone and cellulose acetate are common material in separation. In this research, polysulfone/cellulose actetate (PSF/CA) blend membrane was prepared. The aim of this research was to study effect of evaporation time in casting of PSF/CA membrane and its performance in filtration. CA was obtained by acetylation process of bacterial cellulose (BC) from fermentation of coconut water. Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy was used to examine functional groups of BC, CA and commercial cellulose acetate. Subtitution of acetyl groups determined by titration method. Blend membranes were prepared through phase inversion technique in which composition of PSF/PEG/CA/NMP(%w) was 15/5/5/75. Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) were act as pore forming agent and solvent, respectively. Variation of evaporation times were used as parameter to examine water uptake, flux, and morphology of PSF/CA blend membranes. FTIR spectra of CA show characteristic peak of acetyl group at 1220 cm−1 indicated that BC was acetylated succesfully. Degree of subtitution of BCA was found at 2.62. Highest water flux was performed at 2 bar obtained at 106.31 L.m-2.h-1 at 0 minute variation, and decrease as increasing evaporation time. Morphology of PSF/BCA blend membranes were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that porous asymetric membrane were formed.

Potensi abu tandan kosong sawit (ATKS) sebagai sumber katalis basa untuk produksi hidrogen dari hidrolisis air dengan aluminium (Al) menggunakan handmade reactor telah dikaji. Kajian ini didahului dengan penggunaan basa konvensional yakni NaOH dan KOH dilanjutkan dengan penggunaan K2CO3 dan ATKS sebagai katalis. Katalis dipreparasi melalui pengabuan tandan kosong sawit (TKS) pada suhu 600 o C selama 2 jam. Karakterisasi ATKS dilakukan dengan menggunakan X-ray diffractometer (XRD) dan spektrofotometer serapan atom (AAS). ATKS mengandung logam Kalium dalam bentuk K2CO3 dan KCl, dengan total kalium sebesar 29,3 % berat. Hidrolisis air dilakukan dengan mereaksikan 0,01 g Aluminium dengan larutan KOH, NaOH, K2CO3 dan filtrat ATKS dengan variasi konsentrasi. Semakin tinggi konsentrasi katalis menyebabkan jumlah hidrogen yang dihasilkan semakin meningkat. Konversi terbesar diperoleh pada pengaplikasian KOH sebagai katalis. Penggunaan NaOH menyebabkan reaksi berjalan lebih cepat. Penggunaan K2CO3 dan flitrat ATKS juga menghasilkan hidrogen dengan kuantitas mendekati NaOH namun dengan laju reaksi yang lebih lambat.