Biomass Briquettes Using Indonesia Durian Seeds as Binder Agent: the Effect of Binder Concentration on the Briquettes Properties

Abstract

Biomass briquette is an energy source, available abundantly in Indonesia that can prevent world energy crisis when used in efficient ways. In the conventional system, starch from food commodities are applied in the briquettes production causing conflict of interest between energy and food consumption. Durian seeds, which are agricultural waste, contain large amount of starch especially amylose and amylopectin and have the potential as binder agent to replace conventional binder. Several tests were done on briquettes made using durian seed as the binder agent with different binder concentrations. The results show that the durian seed has potential to be utilised as binder agent due to its high shear strength properties. The physical properties of the briquettes can also satisfy standards values of commercial wood charcoal briquettes such as density, heating value, compressive strengths and shatter index.