CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES FROM MANGROVE CHARCOAL REMNANTS RESULTING FROM CHICKEN GRILLING

Abstract

This research studied the appropriate ratio between mangrove charcoal remnants from the chicken grilling process and cassava starch in producing charcoal briquettes, as well as the fuel properties of the resulting charcoal briquettes. The process involved drying the mangrove charcoal remnants resulting from the chicken grilling process and sieving them through a 4 mm sieve to remove the ashes. Subsequently, the remnants were ground into fine charcoal using a charcoal grinder before being mixed with cassava starch at various ratios of 5%, 10%, and 20% to determine the optimal mixture. The charcoal-starch mixture was then pressed into lumps using a machine and dried in the sun. The fuel properties of the charcoal product were tested, including calorific value according to ASTM D 5865, moisture value according to ASTM D 7582, volatile substances according to ASTM D 7582, stable carbon according to ASTM D 3176, and ash content according to ASTM D 7582. The results showed that the charcoal remnants resulting from the chicken grilling process could be converted into charcoal briquettes for chicken grilling. Testing the calorific value at ratios of 5%, 10%, and 20% revealed the highest values of 6,403, 6,140, and 5,963 kcal/kg, respectively, along with volatile substances at 25.62%, 28.10%, and 28.81%, stable charcoal at 60.18%, 55.50%, and 55.19%, and ash at 3.95%, 3.68%, and 3.36%. All three ratios also met the standard criteria for charcoal briquettes set by the Department of Industrial Works (2012), although the humidity test value slightly exceeded the standard. Following the experiment, the researcher can conclude that the optimal ratio for making charcoal briquettes is 5%, as it provides a high calorific value and is cost-efficient, utilizing less cassava starch compared to other ratios. Additionally, by transforming used charcoal remnants into new briquettes, this process helps address waste management issues, reduces logging, and mitigates pollution from charcoal production.