Chemical composition and physical characteristics of coal and mangrove wood as alternative fuel

Abstract

Physical properties and chemical properties of coal and mangrove wood (rhizophora macronata lamck) was determined by using proximate, ultimate, and calorific analysis. Proximate analysis is used to determine moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon. The ultimate analysis is the important chemical elements in biomass; use to determine carbon and sulfur content. The calorific value of coal and mangrove wood was conducted by using bomb calorimeter method. The aims in this study is to determine physical and chemical characteristics of coal from Kaltim Prima Coal Company (East Kalimantan Province), Sinjai coal and also mangrove wood from Sinjai (South Sulawesi Province). Result of chemical composition and physical characteristic (proximate, ultimate analysis and calorific value of coal and mangrove wood were as follow: coal from Kaltim Prima Coal were moisture: 16.11%, ash: 3.77%, volatile matter: 43.10%, fixed carbon: 37.01%, carbon content: 44.86%, sulfur content: 0.130% and calorific value: 4160.93 cal/gram. Sinjai coal: moisture content: 10.09%, ash: 52.41%, volatile matter: 23.54%, fixed carbon: 13.96%, carbon content: 24.37%, sulfur content: 0.272% and calorific value: 3941.21 cal/gram. Mangrove wood charcoal from Sinjai: moisture: 5.58%, ash: 6.34%, volatile matter: 19.30%, fixed carbon: 68.78%, carbon: 51.82% sulfur: 0.029%, and calorific value: 3800.1 cal/gram. After the pyrolysis process, mangrove wood produces a high enough calorific value which increases the calorific value, to: 5404.04 cal/gram. Based on the physical and chemical characteristics in this study shows mangrove wood have high potential to be used as an alternative fuel which was effective for household and industrial purposes.