Modification of Gunungkidul Natural Zeolite as Bioethanol Dehydrating Agents

Abstract

This research was conducted to characterize the modification of natural zeolite for dehydration of bioethanol. Modification have been conducted under various methods. Natural zeolite (ZA) was activated using hydrochloric acid (produced ZAAH), the ZAAH sample was heated in to microwave (produced ZAAHM), soaking of ZAAH and ZAAHM in NH4NO3 (produced ZAAHN and ZAAHMN). Zeolite characterization involved determination of total acid sites, zeolite crystallinity by X-ray diffraction and TO4 site by FTIR. Result showed that modified zeolite ZAAH have better properties compared by ZA, ZAAHM, ZAAHN and ZAAHMN. ZAAH potentially be used as dehydrating agents.