Alternative Fuel: Bio-Charcoal Briquettes from Corn Cobs
摘要
Biomass energy comes from fuel produced from renewable natural sources. The energy's raw material comes from waste after the main product is extracted. Apart from being environmentally friendly, biomass energy has the advantage of being a non-renewable alternative fuelAlternative fuel. Thus, biomass energy can function as a supplier of sustainable energy sources. Plant waste comes from harvest waste, which is separated from the main plant. Corn plants produce waste, including cobs, husks, and corn silk. Corn cobsCorn cob are a type of waste from the corn plant that can be reused into various products. Some of the benefits of corn cobsCorn cob that have been recycled include substituting for plastic and craft materials as fuel, substituting for gas fuel, baking or culinary ingredients, and improving the economy. The nutritional content of corn cobs consists of crude protein (4.64%), crude fiber (38.99%), and lignin (15.80%). Apart from that, corn cobs also contain cellulose (45%), hemicellulose (35%), and lignin (15%). The composition of corn plants consists of 65% corn kernels and 35% waste (in the form of stems, leaves, skin, and corn cobs). Corn waste has the potential to be used as a substitute fuel (as a raw material for charcoal briquettes). CharcoalCharcoal briquettesBriquette are a type of biofuel, namely biomass. Biomass is a solid fuel that contains high-calorific carbon with a long flame. CharcoalCharcoal briquettes, commonly called bio-charcoalBio-charcoal briquettes, are a fairly high-quality alternative fuelAlternative fuel with simple technology. The heat (flame) produced is quite large, quite safe, and long-lasting. Charcoal briquettes are a type of solid fuel made by compacting and binding organicOrganic materials such as corn cobsCorn cob, wood dust, charcoal powder, coconut shells, agricultural waste, or other biomass materials. CharcoalCharcoal briquettesBriquette from corn cobs are more economical because they have a number of advantages compared to other similar products. These advantages include: (i) being easier to ignite due to the low water content; (ii) not interfering with pollution because it produces less smoke and ash; and (iii) being able to be stored for a longer time. Making briquettesBriquette from corn cobsCorn cob is done using the carbonation or roasting method. Carbonization is the process of heating materials indoors without using oxygen. In general, the temperature used is around 500–8000 °C. The arrangement is done with a kiln or burning furnace. The heads used are those that have been dried or have a water content of less than 15%. Next, grinding is carried out to crush materials that are still large in size. Then filtering is carried out to homogenize the material. The filter resultsResult are mixed with an adhesive in the form of melted tapioca flour. After that, the material is ready to be printed, dried, and used.