Abstract:
This research consists of two aims which are to investigate the behavior of bamboo
charcoal in human urine treatment and its efficiency in inhibiting corrosion. The analysis
of Scanning Electron Microscopy was carried out to analyze the microstructure and
macrostructure pores within bamboo charcoal. The images obtained from the analysis
showed that bamboo charcoal had large amount of pores and hence had high adsorption
capacity. Besides that, analysis of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) had shown that bamboo
charcoal consisted of several minerals. Potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper and
zinc were found in bamboo charcoal. In order to carry out the urine treatment process,
simple filtration apparatus was set up in which bamboo charcoal was the main adsorbent.
Human urine samples which were filtrated or infiltrated were then analyzed by spread
plate method. The result of spread plate method showed that the amount of bacteria
colonies in untreated urine sample had decreased after treatment. Bamboo charcoal had
efficiently adsorbed and prevented the growth of bacteria in the urine samples. On the
other hand, steel nails and bamboo charcoal were prepared for corrosion process.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was used to analyze the steel nails. The
result from EIS showed that the more bamboo charcoal used in the water, the lower the
corrosion rate of steel nails. The percentage inhibition efficiency of bamboo charcoal was
also calculated. The calculation showed that the more bamboo charcoal was used, the
higher the percentage inhibition efficiency. As a summary, this study showed that
bamboo charcoal was a good adsorbent in urine treatment and as an efficient corrosion
inhibitor.