Pengaruh Ukuran Partikel Arang dan Variasi Kadar Perekat terhadap Karakteristik Briket Arang Pelepah Aren (Arenga longipes Mogea)

Abstract

The production of alternative energy sources derived from biomass utilization has shown significant progress in technology and innovation sectors. Palm frond charcoal briquettes are one such alternative energy source that possesses numerous advantages and is environmentally friendly. The objective of this research is to characterize charcoal briquettes made from palm fronds (Arenga longipes Mogea) and to determine the influence of charcoal particle size and binder content variations on these briquettes. The study categorizes charcoal powder into three particle sizes: 20-40 mesh, 40-60 mesh, and particles passing through 60 mesh. These charcoal powders are combined with three different binder content variations: 11%, 13%, and 15%. The charcoal and binder mixture is moistened, formed, and dehydrated in an oven at 103±2°C. After drying, samples are analyzed to determine density, compressive strength, calorific value, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter content, and fixed carbon content. The research results indicate that the density of charcoal briquettes ranges from 0.50 to 0.60 g/cm³. The compressive strength values range from 14.08 to 24.02 kgf/cm². Calorimetry analysis shows calorific values ranging from 20.95 to 25.88 MJ/kg. Moisture content testing yields samples with moisture contents ranging from 5.48% to 8.18%. Based on ash content testing, charcoal briquettes have values ranging from 9.57% to 18.32%. The volatile matter content shows relatively high values, ranging from 42.12% to 55.75%. Additionally, the fixed carbon content varies between 23.63% and 37.21%. From this study, it can be concluded that the charcoal briquettes produced from palm fronds meet the specifications set by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 01-6235-2000), particularly in terms of density, calorific value, and moisture content.