Study on the Utilization of Wood Waste for Charcoal Briquettes

Abstract

Sawdust waste from the woodworking industry poses environmental challenges but also offers potential as a renewable energy source through charcoal briquette production. Converting this biomass into briquettes provides an eco-friendly fuel alternative while adding economic value. This study aims to obtain information about wood/sawdust waste from the woodworking industry that can be utilized as raw material in making briquette charcoal, and to understand the process of making briquette charcoal from sawn wood waste. Furthermore, it aims to determine the quality of charcoal briquettes produced from the composition of meranti sawdust waste. Data management in this study was carried out to organize and analyze information obtained from various sources regarding the utilization of sawn wood waste into briquette charcoal material. The data collected included the results of observations, analysis of wood composition, charcoal making process, and the quality of briquettes produced. Briquettes were manufactured through a sequence of carbonisation, particle size reduction, binder incorporation, moulding, and drying processes. The findings demonstrate that effective control of particle size and moisture content is critical for enhancing briquette performance, thereby supporting the potential utilisation of wood waste as a sustainable solid fuel for household-scale applications. Meranti briquettes, when subjected to a water immersion test for 30 minutes, will become brittle (and partially disintegrate) As an alternative, meranti wood is considered more ideal due to its greater availability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.