Abstract. To utilize coal with high ash and sulfur content, efforts are needed in the form of deashing and desulphurization of coal. Coal washing in this study chemically used sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in coal samples from the Padang Lampe area, Libureng Village, Tanete Riaja District, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi Province. Coal washing was carried out with variable grain sizes of 65, 100, and 150 mesh, concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 M NaOH solutions, and predetermined experimental conditions. The results of the analysis of the quality of coal samples in the Padang Lampe area showed 5.48% moisture content, 36.03% ash content, 26.65% volatile matter, 31.84% fixed carbon, 1.47% total sulfur, and 5,156 cal/calorie value. gr. Thus, Padang Lampe coal is classified as sub-bituminous type C. The results of coal desulfurization experiments using NaOH solution showed the highest reduction in total sulfur content with a total sulfur reduction percentage of 46.39%, where the initial sulfur content of 1.47% reduced to 0.788%. Meanwhile, the coal deashing process using NaOH solution showed the highest reduction in ash content with a reduction percentage of 22.56%, where the initial ash content of 36.03% reduced to 27.9%. The process of desulphurization and deashing of coal that has been carried out shows that the grain size of 150 mesh and the concentration of 6M NaOH solution is the maximum variable.
Abstrak. Untuk memanfaatkan batubara dengan kadar abu dan sulfur yang tinggi diperlukan usaha berupa deashing dan desulfurisasi batubara. Pencucian batubara pada penelitian ini secara kimia menggunakan larutan natrium hidroksida (NaOH) pada sampel batubara dari daerah Padang Lampe, Desa Libureng, Kecamatan Tanete Riaja, Kabupaten Barru, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Pencucian batubara dilakukan dengan variabel ukuran butir 65, 100, dan 150 mesh, konsentrasi larutan NaOH 2, 4, dan 6 M, dan kondisi percobaan yang telah ditentukan. Hasil analisis kualitas sampel batubara daerah Padang Lampe menunjukkan kadar air 5,48%, kadar abu 36,03%, zat terbang 26,65%, karbon tetap 31,84%, total sulfur 1,47%, dan nilai kalori 5.156 kal/gr. Dengan demikian, maka batubara Padang Lampe termasuk jenis sub-bituminus C. Hasil percobaan desulfurisasi batubara menggunakan larutan NaOH menunjukkan penurunan kandungan total sulfur tertinggi dengan persentase reduksi total sulfur 46,39%, dimana kandungan sulfur awal sebesar 1,47% berkurang menjadi 0,788%. Sementara itu, pada proses deashing batubara menggunakan larutan NaOH menunjukkan penurunan kadar abu tertinggi dengan persentase reduksi kadar abu sebesar 22,56%, dimana kadar abu awal sebesar 36,03% berkurang menjadi 27,9%. Proses desulfurisasi dan deashing batubara yang telah dilakukan menunjukkan percobaan pada ukuran butir 150 mesh dan konsentrasi larutan NaOH 6M merupakan variabel yang paling maksimal.