Life cycle assessment of biomass waste briquettes as renewable energy: Biomass waste briquettes as renewable energy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A significant amount of biomass waste remains underutilized in corn and rice farming areas. In Grobogan, Central Java, rice husks, and corn waste are used as energy sources for tofu production, resulting in the formation of rice husk charcoal and corncob charcoal. Consequently, it is essential to develop innovative methods for converting rice husks and burnt cob waste into products of economic value. This study sought to ascertain the ideal mixture of briquettes derived from biomass waste, particularly corncobs, burnt corncobs, burnt rice husks, and polypropylene waste, by analyzing their chemical characteristics and the associated environmental effects.
METHODS: This experimental design was selected to determine the optimal combination of materials for producing high-quality briquettes. In this design, the combination of materials was the independent variable, whereas the chemical characteristics were the dependent variables. The dependent variables selected for this study were derived from the parameters specified by the Indonesian National Standards, which included measurements of water content, calorific value, ash content, and fixed carbon. A life cycle assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental impact of the briquette products manufactured.
FINDINGS: The results of the study showed that corn cob briquettes exhibited better quality than burnt rice husk briquettes based on the Indonesian National Standard parameters. A life cycle assessment pertaining to recycling demonstrated that corn cob briquettes possess a lesser environmental impact. The study indicated that corn cob briquettes, when produced without the inclusion of plastic, exhibited superior chemical properties and a more favorable environmental impact. Corncob without polypropylene had a moisture content of 11.16 percent, ash content of 20.04 percent, fixed carbon content of 77.44 percent, and calorific value of 5,156.93 calories per gram. The environmental impact is equivalent to an eco-cost of 0.387 United States Dollars The findings of the study reveal that corn cob briquettes hold substantial potential for evolution as an alternative energy resource or for integration with fossil fuels in co-firing processes.
CONCLUSION: The findings will assist local governments in guiding the production of biomass briquettes that meet consumer quality standards, while minimizing environmental impact. There is a necessity for further studies to analyze the impediments and challenges involved in the utilization of briquettes as a replacement for fossil energy or in conjunction with fossil fuels in industrial applications, especially within the cement industry in Grobogan Regency.