| dc.description.abstract | The increasing use of wood as a fuel causes dependence. This can lead to over exploitation of trees, so it is necessary to develop new alternative energy to switch
dependencies of the wood. This research focuses on developing biofuel in the form
of pellets from three species of mangrove branches and twigs. Three types of
mangroves were used, namely Buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), Bakau Minyak
(Rhizophora apiculata) and Mata Buaya (Bruguiera sexangula) with bark and
non-bark treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical and
mechanical properties of wood produced from three species of mangrove
branches and twigs. Physical and mechanical properties include density, Specific
gravity, moisture content, stack density, measurement dimensions (diameter and
length) and compression toughness. Testing for density, moisture content, and
dimensions (diameter and length) refers to EN ISO standards. Specific weight and
stack density tests refer to Khalil's research (1999). In the meanwhile,
compression toughness test with ASTM D 4179 standard. The specific weight of
raw materials showed varying results for all types and treatments. Buta-buta was
known to have the lowest specific weight value of all types and treatments. The
yield of wood pellets is known to vary but has relatively close yields for each type
and treatment. The specific weight value of pellets with bark was in the range of
values 0.679 g/cm³ - 0.942 g/cm³, while the treatment without bark was in the
range of values 0.607 g/cm³ - 0.823 g/cm³. The variation in density is directly
proportional to the value of the Specific Weight pellet. Specific Weight pellets
treated with skin were known to have a value range of 0.841-1.011, while those
without skin had a value range of 0.865 - 0.963. The mean water content results
are known to be very low in water content and are relatively consistent with
values ranging from 1.044% - 1.075% for all species and treatments.
Measurements of pellet dimensions in relative diameter measurements are
consistent with an average diameter of 0.4 cm, but pellet lengths vary further. The
results of testing the physical properties (moisture content, density and
dimensions) of branch and twig pellets, both treated with and without bark, had a
good quality wood pellets and complied with the standards of several European
countries. Due to the effect of powder size and die hole size equalization, the
pellet heap density values are relatively similar, ranging in value from 251 g/cm3
- 328 g/cm3. It also affected the results of the compressive strength test, with
relatively high average values of 166.29 kgf/cm² for skinned pellets and 190.86
kgf/cm² for unskinned pellets. | en_US |
