Kajian Eksperimen Perbandingan Campuran Limbah Cair Kelapa Sawit, Air, Dan Kotoran Sapi Sebagai Penghasil Biogas

Abstract

Oil palm is one of the most productive crops capable of producing the highest amount of oil, especially in the West Kalimantan region. Palm oil mills can produce 60% of palm oil liquid waste (POME) which can be harmful and potentially pollute the environment if not managed properly. Apart from POME, the abundant cow dung waste until now is only processed into fertilizer and has not been used properly by cattle farmers. Making biogas with a mixture of POME and cow dung can be an alternative that has great opportunities to be developed. This study aims to determine the effect of POME on the biogas production process by looking at the value of the degree of acidity (pH), temperature, pressure and volume of biogas. This research uses an experimental method by making a simple floating type digester. This experiment was observed for 30 days and recorded the results into a worksheet. The ratio of weight composition in kilograms of POME and water used is 2 : 5, 3 : 3 , and 5: 2, while cow dung is set at 3 kg. The right composition in biogas production greatly affects the success rate of biogas. The POME content in the mixture affects the fermentation time of microorganisms, if the volume of POME is more than other mixtures, the fermentation process for the mixture to approach a pH value of 6.5 will take longer. This is indicated by the pH value in the L₂A₅S₃ composition starting to increase in pH by 6.5 on the 13th day, in the L_{3 ½}A_{3 ½}S₃ composition, pH 6.5 started on the 16th day while in the L₅A₂S₃ composition, pH 6.5 started on the 19th day.