The use of activated charcoal of candlenut shell (Aleurites moluccana) as adsorbent to reduce motorcycle emissions

Abstract

This research was conducted to reduce exhaust emissions of motorcycle by utilizing agricultural waste. The agricultural waste used is candlenut seed activated charcoal (AC) which is activated by using ZnCl2 solution to increase its absorption ability. In order to further improve the quality of the exhaust emissions produced, a certain amount of oxygen is injected into the exhaust gas lines. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in the amount of HC, CO, and CO2 emissions when using activated charcoal compared to without activated charcoal. The amount of exhaust gas emissions is even recorded to decrease when a certain amount of oxygen is applied to the exhaust gas line. Observations obtained from the morphology of activated charcoal after the scanning electron microscope (SEM) test showed that activated charcoal had enlarged pores. With these improved pores, it is easier to capture harmful gas emissions from two-wheeled vehicles. on the other hand, the results of energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) show that there is a change in the content of compounds contained in activated charcoal due to reactions between compounds contained in exhaust gas emissions and the activated charcoal.