ACTIVATION OF SINABUNG MOUNT VOLCANIC ASH USING VARIOUS MINERAL ACIDS

Abstract

The effect of various types of mineral acids in activating the silica of volcanic ash of Mount Sinabung has been carried out. The use of various types of mineral acids is aimed at reducing impurities in the form of metals contained in the ash so that it can increase the SiO₂ content in the ash. In the treatment, volcanic ash is prepared beforehand by grinding and sieving with a 200 mesh sieve. The sieved ash was then added with mineral acids, namely HCl, HNO₃ and concentrated H₂SO₄ and heated at 100^oC for 2 hours. After that, it was neutralized with distilled water and in an oven at 120^oC for 6 hours and characterized using XRF to determine the impurities that had been lost. Based on the results obtained using XRF characteristics, the SiO₂ content of volcanic ash activated with HCl was 80,23%, HNO₃ was 77,23% and H₂SO₄ was 76,89%. This shows that activation using HCl is more optimal than using HNO₃ and H₂SO₄.