The Study on Utilization of Agricultural Waste as an Alternative Fuel for Bio-briquettes

Abstract

The increase in fossil fuel consumption has led to the depletion of oil and natural gas reserves, necessitating the development of alternative energy sources from renewable biomass. Agricultural waste such as corn cob and banana stem, which are abundant in quantity, can be utilized as alternative bio-briquette fuel. This study aimed to synthesize bio-briquette using a mixture of corn cob and banana stem and investigate the influence of banana stem and corn cob composition on bio-briquettes’ characteristics. The bio-briquette production process involved pyrolysis at a temperature of 350°C for corn cob and banana stem carbonization. The variations in banana stem composition with corn cob were 10%:90%, 30%:70%, and 50%:50%, respectively. The quality of the bio-briquettes was tested according to the SNI 01-6235-2000 standard. The research results showed that an increase in banana stem composition generally resulted in a decrease in moisture content, volatile matter, and calorific value but an increase in the ash content of the bio-briquettes. All variations of bio-briquette composition met the SNI 01-6235-2000 standard for moisture content, fixed carbon, and calorific value. The highest calorific value was obtained at a composition of 10% banana stem and 90% corn cob, which measured 8929 cal/g. The emission test results for bio-briquettes with a composition of 10% banana stem and 90% corn cob indicated concentrations of SO2, NOx, and CO parameters at 65,67 mg/Nm3, 0 mg/Nm3, and 307,3 mg/Nm3, respectively.