Studi Eksperimen Kemampuan Gerus (Grindability) Campuran Biomassa–Batubara Menggunakan Pendekatan Energi–Ukuran dan Image Processing Untuk Evaluasi Distribusi Partikel Hasil Penggerusan
ANDI KURNIAWAN, Ir. Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D.; Dr. Akmal Irfan Majid. S.T.,M.Eng.
2026 | Tesis | S2 Teknik Mesin
Penerapan co-firing
biomassa di PLTU merupakan langkah nyata dalam mendukung kebijakan pemerintah untuk
mencapai target bauran energi bersih dan Net Zero Emission 2060. Penerapan
co-firing biomassa di PLTU tipe pulverized coal (PC) umumnya
menerapkan metode direct mixing antara biomassa dan batubara di coal
yard. Cara ini cukup
praktis, tetapi sering kali menyebabkan kendala terutama dalam proses
penggilingan, seperti seperti vibrasi yang tinggi pada mill, penyumbatan
pada peralatan mill dan saluran bahan bakar, dan memungkinan terjadinya
perbedaan rasio campuran pada produk akhir dan rasio awal umpan.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengaruh variasi rasio komposisi
campuran co-firing, jenis biomassa (sekam padi dan sawdust),
serta jumlah putaran penggilingan terhadap produk hasil penggilingan. Berbeda
dengan penelitian terdahulu yang umumnya hanya menguji sampel secara terpisah,
studi ini mengisi kesenjangan riset dengan menguji campuran biomassa dan
batubara secara langsung (direct mixing) seperti skenario praktis yang
diterapkan di PLTU. Eksperimen dilakukan menggunakan vertical ball milling
machine skala laboratorium, dilanjutkan dengan analisis distribusi ukuran
partikel melalui metode ayakan dan identifikasi proporsi biomassa–batubara pada
fraksi halus dengan teknik image processing. Sehingga diharapkan mampu
menghasilkan indikator grindability campuran batubara-biomassa yang
lebih representatif.
Hasil penelitian diharapkan dapat memberikan pemahaman mengenai
selektivitas penggilingan dan campuran yang optimal dalam skenario direct
mixing, sehingga dapat menjadi dasar rekomendasi teknis bagi pengelola PLTU
dalam implementasi co-firing biomassa di Indonesia sebagai bagian dari
strategi transisi energi nasional.
Biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants is a practical strategy to
support the Indonesian government’s clean energy mix target and the Net Zero
Emission 2060 agenda. In pulverized coal power plants, biomass co-firing is
commonly implemented through direct mixing of biomass and coal in the coal
yard. Although this method is relatively simple, it often creates operational
problems during the grinding process, such as high mill vibration, blockage in
mill equipment and fuel pipes, and possible deviation between the initial feed
ratio and the final product ratio.
This study aims to investigate the effects of co-firing mixture ratio,
biomass type, and grinding rotation number on the characteristics of the ground
product. Rice husk and sawdust are used as biomass samples. Unlike previous
studies that generally tested coal and biomass separately, this research
addresses the gap by directly testing coal and biomass mixtures under a direct
mixing scenario, similar to practical implementation in power plants. The
experiment is conducted using a laboratory-scale vertical ball milling machine.
The ground product is then analyzed through particle size distribution using
the sieving method. The biomass and coal proportions in the fine fraction are
identified using image processing techniques. This approach is expected to provide
a more representative grindability indicator for coal and biomass mixtures.
The expected results of this study are a clearer understanding of
grinding selectivity and the optimal mixture condition in direct mixing
co-firing. The findings can serve as a technical basis for power plant
operators in implementing biomass co-firing in Indonesia as part of the
national energy transition strategy.
Kata Kunci : co-firing biomassa, pulverized coal boiler, direct mixing, grindability, image processing
