EFISIENSI REAKTOR KOLOM DENGAN MEDIA AMPAS TEBU KERING DAN ARANG AKTIF AMPAS TEBU UNTUK MENURUNKAN POLUTAN PADA AIR LIMBAH TAHU

Abstract

The tofu industry liquid waste studied has the characteristics of a high pollutant content
with a TSS of 305.5 mg/l, BOD of 222.8 mg/l, COD of 461.3 mg/l and a pH of 4.95. All of these
parameters have exceeded the quality standards required for further utilization activities, as stipulated
in Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021. One of the treatment alternatives that can be applied to
reduce the level of pollutants in tofu liquid waste is the filtration-adsorption method. This study aims
to analyze the ability and efficiency of dry bagasse, activated charcoal of bagasse, and the
combination of the two in reducing the levels of TSS, BOD, COD, and regulating the pH in the
filtration-adsorption column reactor. The study variables consisted of detention time (60, 90, and 120
minutes) and three types of media in the column reactor. The media are Reactor 1: dry bagasse (45
cm), Reactor 2: activated charcoal of bagasse (45 cm), and Reactor 3: a combination of bagasse and
activated charcoal of bagasse (22.5 cm each). The results of the study showed that the filtration-
adsorption process was effective in reducing the concentration of pollutants. The highest dispensing
efficiency achieved was 66% for TSS, 51.7% for BOD, and 77.9% for COD, as well as increasing the
pH from 4.95 to 6.13. The highest efficiency was achieved in reactor 3 with a combination of dried
bagasse and activated charcoal of bagasse at a detention time of 120 minutes.