Characterization and optimization of palm industry ash waste (PIAW) derived zeolites using central composite design (CCD)

Abstract

The prodigious ashes from power electricity generation plants were devastated as solid waste by palm industries intoenvironment. PIAW, mostly Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) comprising silica and alumina was discarded as non-profitoriented products, thus this work is about PIAW, essentially POFA derived zeolites using ultrasound irradiation.Performance of POFA was characterized, and process optimization was done by employing CCD. Pre-treated POFA asfeedstock and formed zeolites were designated and analyzed using X-Ray Fluorescence (X-RF), Scanning ElectronMicroscopy (SEM) images, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) diagram.Alkaline concentration (0.6 M-1.4M), irradiation time (140 min-160 min) and KOH/POFA (1.5:1-2.5:1) were examinedas non-constant variables. Otherwise, ultrasonic power (600W), temperature (80°C) and silica alumina ratio werejustified as constant and response variables. An optimal synthesized zeolites as ratio of SiO2 and Al2O3 (10.60) wasfound from surface plot based on quadratic typical at KOH=1 M, KOH/POFA=2 and time=150 min. Presence of A, P, Xand irregular shape structures zeolites are commensurable to another resources, mainly fly ash. These findings arealso important for waste reduction, recycling and zeolites synthesis from material under economic value.