Synthesis of Adsorbent from Palm Kernel Shell through Microwave-Alkali Assisted Delignification and Its Performance in Used Palm Cooking Oil Purification

Palm kernel shell (PKS), a byproduct accounting for up to 60% of palm oil production, is often used solely as fuel. However, due to its silica content, PKS can also function as an adsorbent. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of delignification on the quality of PKS as an adsorbent, specifically its ability to adsorb free fatty acids from used palm cooking oil. Delignification was performed using a microwave-alkali (Mw-A) method. Initially, PKS was cleaned, ground into powder, and sieved to 25 mesh. The powder was then delignified using Mw-A before activation with NaOH concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The temperature settings were 70⁰C, 80⁰C, and 90⁰C, with durations of 30, 35, and 40 minutes. The delignified PKS was carbonized at 400⁰C for 2 hours to produce the adsorbent. The adsorption capacity of each adsorbent was tested on free fatty acids in used palm cooking oil. Results indicated that the Mw-A assisted delignification significantly enhanced the adsorption efficiency, achieving a 55% adsorption capacity at 30% NaOH concentration, 90⁰C temperature, and 35 minutes. In comparison, PKS without Mw-A assisted delignification adsorbed only 32% of free fatty acids. It was showed that the adsorption kinetics belong to pseudo-first order reaction. Thus, delignification proved to be an effective pretreatment method to enhance PKS's adsorption capacity.