ITB Chemical Engineering Team Secures 3rd Place in I-Challenge 2023 National Scientific Paper Competition
By Anggun Nindita
Editor Anggun Nindita
Bandung, itb.ac.id — A trio of Chemical Engineering students from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) clinched the 3rd place in the I-Challenge 2023 National Scientific Paper Competition, hosted by Brawijaya University in September 2023. Under the theme "Optimizing the Role of Youth Generation for Energy Transition and Creating Solutions for Climate Change with Low Calamity Risk to Support the G20 Programme," the team explored the potential of cow dung and Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) as alternative raw materials for synthesizing gas to replace natural gas.
Led by Rayhan Kemal Yaasir (13020040), the team, including Risa Eridani Br Pardede (13020027) and Irfan Muhamad Fauzi (13020082), conducted a comparative study on the potential of cow dung and EFB. These biomass sources were processed into biogas through a digestion process, subsequently converted into synthesis gas through steam reforming or carbon reforming processes.
To evaluate the efficiency and conversion of cow dung and EFB, the team employed Aspen HYSIS simulation in their research. The digestion and reforming processes were scrutinized, considering economic efficiency.
The findings revealed that Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) exhibited promising potential as a biogas source, boasting a higher methane yield (404 L/kg) compared to cow dung (350 L/kg). Despite the higher methane yield, EFB required more extensive pre-treatment processes, incurring additional costs.
In terms of methane conversion from biogas, the team observed that the methane conversion of EFB was relatively higher, with the produced CO2 content reaching 15.4%, whereas cow dung biogas had a lower CO2 content of 2.56%.
Rayhan Kemal Yaasir noted that one of the challenges faced by the team was aligning their solution with the competition theme. He mentioned, "There are many other solutions that are interesting to develop, but we chose this one because it fits the criteria we made, with the biggest criterion being sustainability (energy transition)."
Throughout the competition, the team encountered obstacles ranging from limited communication due to members being in different locations during practical work to technical challenges during the final presentation. Nevertheless, their innovative ideas earned appreciation from the judges.
The team aspires to see their idea applied in the industrial realm, especially as the global shift towards energy sustainability gains momentum. Optimizing the utilization of biomass in Indonesia remains a key focus for achieving this goal.
Reporter: Lukman Ali (Mechanical Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2021)
Editor: Vera Citra Utami
