Abstract

A research synthesis of alum from kaolin with sulphurising and crystallization process and the determination of the metal content by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of the qualitative analysis of kaolin prove that Cicalengka Narawita village of Bandung as the main raw material, positif metal containing Al, Fe, Pb, and As. Having performed a quantitative analysis of the levels of 18.53% Al2O3, 0.11% Fe2O3, 0.006% Pb and As 0.005%, the results of this analysis based on SNI 0032:2011, for the synthesis of raw materials alum. Manufacture of alum with sulphurising method by heating at a temperature of 700 0 C produces alum who also fulfill standard SNI 0032:2011, the kaolin 100 mesh (TWS 100) grading 18.53% Al2O3, 0.11% Fe2O3, Pb 0.006% and 0.005% As and kaolin 150 mesh (TWS 150) Al2O3 18.71%, Fe2O3 0.12%, 0.006% Pb and As 0.005%. The results of the analysis of the synthesis process in a way that has been done to give good results with no loss of Al during the process and the amount of other metals such as Fe, Pb and As also can be suppressed so as not to exceed the threshold value, kaolin from the Narawita village can be used as raw materials of alum synthesis.

Keywords: alum, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, SNI 0032:2011.