Studi Pengaruh Variasi Ukuran Partikel, Suhu Karbonisasi, dan Konsentrasi Perekat Molase terhadap Kualitas Biobriket Arang dari Cangkang Kelapa Sawit

Abstract

Energy is required for human activities and continues to increase. Meanwhile, the dependence on the use of non-renewable (fossil) fuels continuously as an energy source is one of the factors that can cause global warming. The availability of clean and sustainable energy is one of the goals of sustainable development. Additionally, the utilization of biomass waste, such as unprocessed palm shell waste, has not been maximized. Therefore, breakthroughs are needed to produce renewable and environmentally friendly alternative energy from biomass to replace non-renewable fules. Biomassbased charcoal briquettes from palm shell waste can be a solution for renewable alternative fuel. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of variations in particle size, carbonization temperature, and adhesive concentration on the quality of biobriquette. The research procedure includes charcoal production, adhesive preparation, material mixing, briquette molding, and drying. The particle sizes used were 80 mesh and 100 mesh, carbonization temperatures of 300℃, 350℃, and 400℃, and adhesive concentrations using molasses of 15%, 20%, 25%. The parameters tested in this research were the quality characteristics, namely proximate analysis, calorific value, and compressive strength of the biobriquette. This research employs an experimental method, and the results will be analyzed descriptively dan quantitatively. The quality standards for the briquettes are based on SNI 01-6235-2000 and SNI 19-4791-1998. Data analysis includes normality and correlation test. The best quality of biobriquettes was achieved with a moisture content of 1,1% (350℃/100 mesh/20%), which met the quality standards; a volatile matter content of 62,355% (400℃/80 mesh/20%), which didn’t meet the quality standards; an ash content of 3,5% (400℃/80 mesh/15%), which met the quality standards; a fixed carbon content of 32,745% (400℃/100 mesh/15%); a calorific value of 5.222,287 cal/gr (400℃/80 mesh/25%), which met the quality standards; and a compressive strength of 2,6351 kg/cm2(300℃/100 mesh/20%), which didn’t meet the quality standards.The use of variation in particle size, carbonization temperature, and adhesive concentration significantly influenced the characteristics of biobriquette. Increasing particle size affects the moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific value. Raising the carbonization temperature increases ash content, fixed carbon, and calorific value. Higher adhesive concentration impact volatile matter, ash content, calorific value, and compressive strength.