Anastyar (left) and Irfiani Nurul Mawaddah at the booth to show off the prototype PA-Box for the ISTEC competition

ITS Campus, ITS News – Student of Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) again proves ITS creativity through innovative work. This time, Anastyar, from Department of  Mechanical Industry Engineering and Irfiani Nurul Mawaddah from the Department of Chemical Industry Engineering created a prototype called PA-Box to reduce the level of lead in the batik shells (Venerupis philippinarum).

Thanks to their efforts and ideas, their innovations have successfully brought home the silver medal at the International Science Technology Engineering and Competition (ISTEC), not long ago. By carrying the concept of a prototype titled PA-Box (Plumbum Absorber Box) Based Absorption and Depuration to Reduce the Levels of Lead on Venerupis philippinarum.

Anastyar, or familiarly called Anas, said PA-Box was designed because it is backed by high levels of lead in batik shells in Sidoarjo. “The activity of sludge disposal Sidoarjo to Porong River estuary caused a bad impact on the batik shell habitat that is in the Sedati beach,” he said.

Prototype Illustration of PA-Box

In addition, this student from the 2019 class explained that the high level of lead causes batik shells to suffer from export rejection, resulting in economic losses for the batik-pining sector in Sidoarjo. “PA-Box is a prototype box that serves to lower the level of lead in batik shells with absorption methods and depuration,” explain Anas.

He explained that Depurasi itself is a process of providing water circulation periodically, with a speed of three meters per second during certain periods of batik shells. “It is done so that the batik shells undergo the process of excretion so that lead metal can come out,” he explained again.

Prototype Illustration of PA-Box

Then, he continued, the lead that came out to the surface of the water can be absorbed using the absorption method through active carbon absorbent and chitosan. “Based on the results of the research, it can be noted that there is a decrease in the lead level in the batik shells by 92.5 percent in the processing period for 24 hours,” said the student born Sidoarjo.

Guided by Ir Nur Husodo MS, Anas and his colleagues admitted that in order to realize this project need to prepare and conduct research for five months. Ranging from preparation, literature study, sampling, testing, evaluation, and optimization. “But it does not matter, because we also want to support the program SDG’s (Sustainable Development’s) 2030 about Responsible Consumption and Production,” said one of the members of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) This

Students who are also active in the vocational teaching activities in ITS is expecting its research products can be developed in the future, and can be applied to the sector of batik scallops in Sidoarjo, especially in Bluru, Sidoarjo. “Our products are original, effective, simple and easy to apply in the community,” he said optimistically. (zar/Anjani/ITS Public Relation Officer)