Wood Pellet Characteristics of Five Energy Species Grown in Post-Mining Reclamation Area in South Kalimantan

Abstract

Biomass is one of the renewable sources of energy with prospective needs to be considered at a national or even global scale. Chemical components and physical properties of materials can be used as bioenergy in the form of pellets. Pellets made by compressing biomass using pressure-heat, resulting in higher calorific values than origin material. Reclamation forests can be seen as a potential source of energy. Considering the generally less-optimal environment, further research regarding the characteristic of species grown in such conditions required. Firstly, research aimed to determine pellets characteristics of five species grown at the post-coal-mining area at Tabalong Regency, i.e. laban (Vitex pinnata), sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria), sungkai (Peronema canescens), trembesi (Samanea saman) and johar (Senna siamea). Secondly was to evaluate the potential of species as energy sources. Measurement focused on forest debris, followed procedures set on SNI 8021-2014. Characteristics measured were moisture-content, density, lignocellulose, extractive, calor, ash, igniting-time, and burning-rate. Statistical analysis indicates that characteristics of origin material positive correlated with a caloric value of pellets except for moisture and ash. Pellets made of laban had the highest calorific value. Five species grown on the post-mining area had calorific values of pellets fulfilling the standard, which means those all are potential to be developed as an energy source.