The paper highlights the importance of reducing formaldehyde emissions in plywood products due to increasing public health awareness. Lowering the formaldehyde to urea mole ratio (F/U) during UF resin preparation is a crucial step in achieving this goal. The study focuses on synthesizing UF resin through alkaline-acid process modification involving a strong acid step at the initial stage with a target viscosity range of 120 140 cP. Different F/U ratios were investigated at various condensation steps, with final molar ratios ranging from 1.5 to 1.0. Results indicate that adjusting the F/U ratio during the fourth condensation step (F/U4) is essential to meet desired viscosity requirements. Lower F/U4 ratios lead to decreased reactivity and reduced free formaldehyde content. Resin aging resulted in increased viscosity and gel time, but all resins remained suitable for application for up to three weeks after preparation. Application tests revealed that UF resin with lower F/U4 ratios produced plywood with reduced internal bonding (IB) strength and formaldehyde emissions. F/U4 = 1.1 was found to be the lowest acceptable molar ratio, with formaldehyde emissions of approximately 2 mg/L. These findings stress the importance of optimizing the UF resin synthesis process to achieve lower formaldehyde emission plywood products.

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin binders for wood-based panel production often use melamine as an additive to improve both mechanical properties and environmental compliance. Direct fortification for efficient use of melamine remains a problem due to low solubility. Pizzi & coworkers suggested the use of more soluble melamine salts and demonstrated success in terms of product performance. However, their preparation method showed low productivity and inefficient use of material and energy. In their scheme, a batch reactor fed with 1 kg of water and 75 g of a stoichiometric amount of melamine and acetic acid produced only around 25 g of solid melamine acetate crystal. In contrast, the remaining 50 g remained dissolved in 991 g of water, which requires high of energy to evaporate. This paper reports an attempt to increase batch productivity and work towards the more efficient use of material and energy. The experiment showed that the successive addition of melamine and acetic acid to the batch up to the solubility limit of melamine at the same reaction condition increased melamine and acetic acid fed from 75 g to 165 g. This was followed by a significant increase in dry crystal yield from 25 g to 117 - 132 g. Feeding the mother liquor to the next batch decreased the water use to only 8% of the original requirement. This resulted in a highly efficient process, eliminating the need for energy-intensive melamine acetate recovery from the mother liquor. The addition of 2% - 4% wt. of the product to UF resin resulted in particleboard with significantly lower thickness swelling, an increase in MOR & IB strength, and lower formaldehyde emission.

This study explores the green synthesis of Fe-Ni/TiO2 nanocatalyst using mangosteen peel extract for the pyrolysis of waste lubricating oil to produce high cetane pyrolysis oil. The synthesis was simulated using a factorial design with four factors: A (amount of metal in the precursor), B (amount of reducing agent), C (amount of support), and D (duration of nanoparticle synthesis). The responses evaluated were oil yield, calorific value, density, and catalyst yield. The results indicated that the most significant factors influencing oil yield, calorific value, density, and catalyst yield were the amount of reducing agent, synthesis duration, amounts of metal and support, and amount of reducing agent, respectively. Significant interactions between factors were observed: A and B, A and D, and C and D for oil yield; A and C, and B and D for density; and A and C, B and C, and A and D for catalyst yield. The simulation results of the optimization of oil yield, calorific value, density, and catalyst yield showed an increase in the quality and quantity of pyrolysis oil where the optimum oil yield produced was 47.29% and the catalyst yield was 74.88%. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the Fe- Ni/TiO2 nanocatalyst synthesized through green methods, emphasizing its potential for sustainable production of high-quality pyrolysis oil from waste lubricating oil.

Used oil, particularly from motor vehicles and industrial machinery, is composed of several harmful contaminants capable of causing serious risks to the environment and human health. This shows the need for proper management that complies with the government rules. When used oil is dumped into the soil, it penetrates and contaminates the groundwater, thereby disturbing the balance of the ecosystem. Disposal into rivers, lakes, or seas, also leads to the formation of a thin layer on water surface that interferes with the oxygenation, killing fish and other aquatic organisms. Handling used oil by burning is highly prohibited because inhaling the vapor can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, there are carcinogenic compounds such as PAHs that have the potential to cause cancer in humans over a long period of time. Despite the numerous disadvantages, used oil has the potential to be converted into several liquid fuels with similar chemical and physical properties to petroleum products. To obtain liquid fuels from used oil, integrated pyrolysis-fractionation method is often applied, consisting of pyrolysis reactor and a fractionation column. Pyrolysis reactor has a diameter of 0.60 m and a height of 0.50 m with three thermocouples placed from the bottom to the top. The fractionation column has a diameter of 0.60 m and a height of 1.5 m with five thermocouples placed from the bottom to the top. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate temperature distribution in the fractionation column of integrated pyrolysis-fractionation system of used oil, providing a basis for potential scale-up. The experiment and simulation results showed that temperature distribution in the fractionation column could be analyzed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The average temperature was observed to decrease in the fractionation column from the bottom to the top. For the experiment, average column temperature decreased from 267 °C (bottom) to 40 °C (top). Meanwhile, in the simulation, average column temperature decreased from 267 °C (bottom) to 51 °C (top). This study showed the model's ability to forecast temperature distribution in the fractionation column, as indicated by the slight discrepancy between experiment and CFD simulation results.

Catalytic pyrolysis is the process in which organic materials undergo catalytic thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen. In this study, catalytic pyrolysis was conducted by heating waste lubricant oil in a modified catalytic reactor for 60 minutes at 350, 450, and 550°C. Furthermore, the effect of a catalyst on the pyrolysis of waste lubricant oil was investigated. The catalyst used was natural zeolite with particle sizes of 70/100 mesh, 200/250 mesh and > 400 mesh. The catalytic pyrolysis liquid products obtained were then analyzed to determine the viscosity, density, heat value and composition of carbon compounds. The results show that temperature, the addition of catalysts and the catalyst particle size affect the physical and chemical properties of liquid products. On the basis of these properties, liquid products can be grouped into several types of liquid fuels namely, gasoline, kerosene and diesel. The liquid products obtained with a catalytic pyrolysis at temperature 550°C and catalyst particle size of > 400 mesh have a density, viscosity, yield and heating value of 829.760 kg/m3, 1.9508 mPa⋅s, 45.33% and 10.981 calories/gram, respectively. The composition of carbon compounds in liquid products is 20.39% for C < 8 compounds and 79.61% for C8-C18 compounds. These liquids are similar to gasoline, kerosene and diesel.

Platinum and palladium nanoparticles were successfully deposited on tunicate cellulose via the photodeposition or microemulsion deposition method. Evenly distributed, small and narrow-sized particles in the range of 2–3 nm were obtained for microemulsion-prepared cellulose catalysts. The photodeposition method led to larger particle sizes, broader size distribution, and occasional agglomerations. The catalysts were tested in the allylbenzene hydrogenation reaction at room temperature and the results were compared to commercially available catalysts. Because of smaller particles, both microemulsion-prepared catalysts and photodeposited ones show better activity than commercial catalysts. Even platinum and palladium nanoparticles were active for the hydrogenation, only cellulose-supported platinum nanoparticles showed good stability. For palladium nanoparticles, stronger leaching from the surface of cellulose was observed. Cellulose-supported catalysts were recycled, and reusability is comparable to commercial catalysts. Therefore, cellulose could be used as an alternative catalyst support.

Converting waste lubricating oil into diesel-like liquid fuels using pyrolysis presents a dual solution, addressing environmental pollution while offering a viable response to the fossil energy crisis. However, achieving high-quality fuel with a substantial yield necessitates the utilization of highly active and cost-effective catalysts. We report the development of Fe–Ni nanocatalysts, synthesized using a green approach and supported on TiO2, as a promising strategy for converting waste lubricating oil into premium-grade diesel-like fuel. To ensure efficient and effective pyrolysis processes, tailoring the synthesis parameters of these nanocatalysts is indispensable. In this study, we investigate the effect of design parameters on nanocatalyst synthesis, such as the concentrations of pre-catalysts and reducing agents, reducing time, and the amount of support material, and evaluate their impact on the quality and quantity of pyrolysis products. Through optimization of the synthesis process, a high quality diesel-like fuel with a product yield of about 54% at a mild reaction temperature of 400 °C was obtained. This study highlights the critical role of nanocatalysis in addressing persistent environmental and energy challenges while showcasing the potential of green nanocatalysts in sustainable waste-to-energy conversion processes.

Salah satu unit terpenting dalam proses produksi amonia adalah primary reformer. Unit primary reformermemainkan peran penting dalam produksi amonia melalui proses Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). Karena suhu dan tekanan operasinya yang tinggi, unit ini menimbulkan risiko keselamatan yang signifikan, seperti tekanan berlebih, kerusakan katalis, ketidakstabilan api, dan pecahnya tabung. Studi ini menerapkan metode Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) untuk mengevaluasi risiko kesehatan dan keselamatankerja dalam sistem reformer primer. Analisis HAZOP dilakukan dengan mengidentifikasi simpul-simpul kritis dalam proses dan mengevaluasi penyimpangan berdasarkan parameter utama seperti tekanan, suhu, laju aliran, dan komposisi. Dengan menggunakan kata-kata panduan seperti "No", "More", "Less", dan "Reverse", berbagai penyimpangan proses dinilai dalam hal penyebab, konsekuensi, pengamanan, dan tindakan yang direkomendasikan. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar risiko muncul dari kerusakan peralatan, kegagalan sistem kontrol, atau kesalahan operator. Untuk mengurangi risiko ini, beberapa rekomendasi diusulkan, termasuk penambahan interlock, instrumentasi redundan, dan kalibrasi rutin. Studi ini menyimpulkan bahwa metode HAZOP efektif dalam mengidentifikasi bahaya tersembunyi dan dapat secara signifikan mendukung peningkatan manajemen kesehatan dan keselamatan kerja di lingkungan proses kimia berisiko tinggi.     Kata kunci: HAZOP, primary reformer, Manajemen Keselamatan Proses, Penilaian Risiko Steam Methane Reforming(SMR), Identifikasi Bahaya, Sistem Kontrol Keselamatan.

Program Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk mengatasi permasalahan pengelolaan limbah peternakan sapi di Pondok Pesantren Maulana Al-Karim, Cipulus Bandung, melalui penerapan teknologi biogas concrete compact reactor yang ramah lingkungan dan mudah dirawat. Permasalahan utama mitra meliputi keterbatasan pengelolaan limbah, belum adanya pemanfaatan energi alternatif, serta rendahnya kapasitas teknis dalam pengoperasian reaktor biogas. Kegiatan dilaksanakan melalui beberapa tahapan, yaitu survei dan Focus Group Discussion (FGD), sosialisasi, pelatihan teknis, serta pembangunan dan uji coba reaktor biogas skala lapangan. Hasil implementasi menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pelaksanaan kegiatan cukup tinggi dengan Total Execution Rate sebesar 77% dan Implementation Performance Index (IPI) sebesar 63%, menandakan pelaksanaan berjalan baik meskipun terdapat kendala pada aspek ketepatan waktu. Analisis penggunaan dana menunjukkan efisiensi dan proporsionalitas tinggi dengan indeks penggunaan dana 4,28 dari 5, di mana peningkatan biaya perjalanan terjadi akibat kondisi geografis lokasi mitra dan kebutuhan teknis lapangan. Secara keseluruhan, kegiatan ini berhasil memperkenalkan sistem pengelolaan limbah yang lebih berkelanjutan, menghasilkan energi terbarukan untuk kebutuhan pesantren, serta meningkatkan kapasitas masyarakat dalam pengoperasian teknologi biogas. Program ini diharapkan menjadi model replikasi bagi pengembangan energi terbarukan berbasis komunitas pesantren di wilayah pedesaan.     Kata kunci: biogas beton, reaktor kompak, energi terbarukan, pemberdayaan masyarakat, implementation performance index

Transformasi Digital merupakan kata yang sering ditemui di berbagai media. Kata ini menjadi sesuatu yang sangat strategis di setiap lini kehidupan termasuk di dunia industri. Penelitian ini melakukan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan jenis data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah data primer. Deskripsi karakteristik responden ini merupakan analisis awal untuk mengenal lebih jauh mengenai responden yang menjadi komponen penting dalam penelitian ini. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data yang telah dilakukan, dapat ditarik beberapa simpulan sebagai berikut: Persepsi kemudahan (perceived ease of use) berpengaruh positif terhadap niat penggunaan (behavioral intention to use) aplikasi BioESS.

Rural communities require appropriate technology to process livestock waste that has been polluting the environment, particularly water bodies such as rivers. Biogas technology offers a solution by converting waste into renewable energy, namely biogas, which can be utilized for daily needs and high-quality organic fertilizer production. Unfortunately, the biogas reactors currently in use were developed over 50 years ago without significant innovations. Hence, there is a pressing need for a more efficient (affordable and user-friendly) and effective (in terms of performance) biogas reactor technology suitable for rural communities—specifically, the Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) biogas reactor technology. The objective of this endeavor is to create a household-scale prototype FRP biogas reactor, designed according to specific requirements and standardized for widespread use. This prototype will be implemented and tested in the field, allowing for dissemination to a broader audience. For modeling purposes, the FRP reactor design will be applied in a demonstration plot in Sunten Jaya Village, Lembang Subdistrict, West Bandung Regency. The results from the demonstration plot reveal that the produced biogas amounts to 40 L/kg of cow dung.

A joint curriculum between two or more universities is a program developed in order to increase the capability of graduates with broadened knowledge in their field, taste an international atmosphere and also increase their networking for the global challenges. As a part of internationalization strategy, this program can be described as the exchanges of teaching/learning process and the new knowledge between the countries. These programs are built on the principle of deep academic collaboration and bring important benefits to students (individuals), institutions, national and regional education systems. Institut Teknologi Nasional Bandung (ITENAS Bandung) – Indonesia and Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences/Magyar Agrár és Éllettudományi Egyetem (MATE) – Hungary, have been initiated to develop a joint curriculum program, since 2018, when ITENAS Bandung got a competitive RISTEKDIKTI grant (Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia) to develop a joint curriculum of Mechanical Engineering, for the MSc Program. The prerequisite to establish this program, both universities should have a great relationship, at first. The process was carried out by mapping and harmonizing the curriculum (evaluation of the course subjects each semester) while comparing the learning achievements, arrangement the difference of credit number and definition in both universities. Furtherly, this concept is enabling students from ITENAS and MATE take part the mobility program (reciprocal principle), and possible to get a Joint/Double Degree, with predetermined rules, and in the end of study, the students will get 2 (two) certificates (from ITENAS and MATE). At the implementation level, both universities should ensure that the structure of the joint curriculum program may not cause an extension of the study period of the students.