Studi Penurunan Kadar Air Dan Kadar Abu Briket Berbasis Tunggak Pohon Akasia Menggunakan Limbah Tempurung Kelapa

Abstract

The demand for energy continues to rise alongside population growth. Therefore, the search for New and Renewable Energy (NRE) sources is becoming increasingly intensive, one of which is biomass for charcoal briquette production. This study aims to: (1) determine the optimal composition to reduce moisture and ash content in briquettes made from acacia stump and coconut shell waste, and (2) test the calorific value of the best formulation. Briquettes were produced with three variations in the composition of acacia charcoal: coconut shell charcoal: tapioca flour binder, namely sample 1 (45%:45%:10%), sample 2 (70%:20%:10%), and sample 3 (20%:70%:10%). The tested parameters included moisture content, ash content, and calorific value. The results show that the best formulation for minimizing moisture and ash content is Sample 1 (45%:45%:10%). This formulation yields the lowest moisture content 5.1% and the lowest ash content 3.7%, both of which are below the maximum limits set by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) ≤8%. Sample 1 also has the highest calorific value at 6,477.17 cal/g, which not only meets but exceeds the SNI standard ≥5,000 cal/g. Thus, briquettes with a balanced composition of acacia and coconut shell charcoal are proven to be optimal as a quality fuel.