IPTEK The Journal of Engineering
Vol 11, No 3 (2025)

Integrated Process Design and Economic Evaluation of Waste-to-Biomaterial Conversion: Hydroxyapatite Production from Blue Crab Shells using Aspen Plus

Nugroho, Aldi Nugroho (National Formosa University)
Gumelar, Tobing (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Aska, Silma Elvaretta (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Rizqiyah, Vita Fatichah (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Kamilah, Villia Lidzati (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Rosanti, Maharani Sugito (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Venanto, Dimas Gilang (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Ma'mun, Ummu Zahroh (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Ramadhan, Haykal Nur Fajri (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Ningrum, Eva Oktavia (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Dec 2025

Abstract

The demand for bone transplant materials is rising in Indonesia. A biogenic calcium supply for hydroxyapatite (HAp), the primary inorganic component of human bone, is provided by blue crab shells, which are produced contain 53.70–78 weight percent CaCO₃. A steady-state method for producing HAp from crab shells is developed and assessed in this study, utilizing Aspen Plus V14 in conjunction with the Aspen Process Economic Analyzer. The simulated flowsheet comprises solid–liquid separation, drying/sintering, CaO storage, CaO hydration, HAp precipitation with H₃PO₄. The global thermodynamic model chosen is the SOLIDS property approach, and stoichiometric reactions with Arrhenius-type power-law kinetics are used to simulate HAp production. In the simulation, 150.246 kg·h⁻¹ HAp, or roughly 1451.81 t·year⁻¹, is predicted for a design base of 46.48 kg·h⁻¹ CaO. A 20-year equipment lifetime, 8000 operating hours annually, a 20% rate of return, and zero-cost shells are assumed in the economic study. This results in a total capital cost of USD 1.94 million and an annual operating cost of USD 1.31 million. The findings offer a quantifiable starting point for evaluating the technical viability of waste-to-HAp systems and directing additional experimental validation, life-cycle analysis, and process improvement.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

joe

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Description

IPTEK The Journal of Engineering (E-ISSN: 2337-8557) is an academic journal on the issued related to engineering and technology. IPTEK The Journal of Engineering published first time in August 2014. From 2014-2018 (Volume 1-4) IPTEK The Journal of Engineering publish three issues (numbers) annually ...