Biomass Characteristics Optimization Design of Corn Cobs-Based Pellet Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

The corn industry sector plays an important role in Indonesian economy due to its potential as an export and domestic commodity, increasing income and providing employment. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reports that the potential for corn farming in Madura Island in Indonesia reaches 300,000 hectares with an average production yield of 7 tons per hectare, so there will be 2,100,000 tons of corn per harvest. However, given the high potential for corn production, there is also a high chance of the waste being produced, especially corn cobs, which the majority of the population simply discards and burns. This study intends to use corn cobs into pellets as fuel. This type of biofuel was chosen because corn cobs as a solid material has a high density, easy in storage and handling. Furthermore, identifying and maximizing biofuel potentials for the development of renewable energy from organic materials would be very beneficial for Madurese people. This study is designed to measure the effect of corn cobs-adhesive ratios and pellet dimension on the calorific value of corn cobs based biopellet. The design of experiments will be used to measure the optimum composition of biomass pellet material which has maximum calorific value using Response Surface Methodology. The quality of the corn cobs-based biopellet will be analyzed and should comply with the standard calorific value of the Indonesian National Standard.