Characteristics and Performance of Bio-Briquette from the Sawdust and Wood Shavings of Sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack)
Agung Nugroho, Amin Padil, Udiantoro
Department of Agro-industrial Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University
Abstract
Sungkai wood (Peronema canescens Jack) is one of prominent materials used for production of furniture and other decorative elements in Kalimantan and Sumatra due to its beautiful fiber and color, and also its fairly smooth texture. Since of massive production, the waste resulted from the processing of sungkai wood are very abundant. Utilization of sawdust or wood shavings of sungkai still generates a relatively low value. In order to increase the value of sawdust and wood shavings of sungkai, this research was aimed to identify the characteristics and performance of bio-briquette produced from the sawdust and wood shaving of sungkai. This research was performed by evaluating the characteristics and performance of bio-briquettes produced from three concentrations (10%, 15%, and 20%) of glue material made from tapioca starch. The results show that, except of the volatile matter, all parameters of the characteristics and performance of the tested briquettes comply with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) of briquette product. The characteristics and performance of the tested briquettes at the lowest levels are follows: water content (4.52%; SNI: max 8%), ash content (4.36%; SNI: max: 8%), volatile matter (42%; SNI max: 15%), density (0.46 g/cm3; SNI: 0.45-0.85 g/cm3), combustion time (0.14 g/min), ignition time (2.5 second/g), and calorific value (5.889 kcal/kg; SNI: min 5000 kcal/kg). It requires optimization on the carbonization process in order to reduce the volatile matter.
Keywords: briquette, calorific value, combustion time, Peronema canescens, sungkai, wood.
Topic: Waste to Energy Potential Resources