Pemisahan Akrilik dari Limbah Aki Bekas pada Hasil Mesin Kincir Battery Breaker dengan Penambahan Cao dan Kerosin pada PT X Pasuruan

Abstract

This study optimized the density-based separation of acrylic from lead-acid battery scrap (lead paste, separators, cells, and battery terminal) during battery crushing by using calcium oxide (CaO) as a density enhancer and kerosene as a surface modifier. Separations were conducted in 5,000 mL of water, varying the CaO mass (500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 g) and kerosene volume (0, 30, 40, and 50 mL). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analyzed the interactions among CaO, kerosene and the acrylic surface. The results indicate that increasing the CaO mass elevates medium density and buoyancy, whereas kerosene modifies the surface hydrophobicity of the acrylic. A peak separation efficiency of 99.94% was achieved using 800 g of CaO and 40 mL of kerosene; however, exceeding these amounts increased media viscosity and induced droplet coalescence, which degraded separation performance. FT-IR spectra confirmed that the interaction involves purely physical adsorption without altering the chemical structure of the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Without kerosene, calcium hydroxide precipitates react with ambient carbon dioxide to deposit calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on the acrylic surface, as indicated by peaks at 1405, 872, and 711 cm-1. Introducing kerosene forms a thin, hydrophobic hydrocarbon layer-evidenced by a shoulder peak at 2954 cm-1, which minimizes calcium adhesion and enhances floatability