Combustion Properties of Biochar Briquettes Blend of Goat Manure Charcoal, Saboak Shell and Other Biomass

This study aims to determine the quality of combustion properties of biochar briquettes mixed with goat manure charcoal, lontar shell and other biomass. The completely randomized design was applied with 4 different combinations tested, as follows: T1= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lontar male fruit; T2= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lamtoro twigs; T3= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% rice husk and T4= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% corn cob. The variables studied were combustion temperature, combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. The average values obtained consecutively from T₁-T₄ are as follows: combustion temperature 272.9; 231.5; 228.8 and 280.8˚C; combustion rate 2.03; 1.61; 1.67 and 2.03 g/min; combustion resistance 210.0; 205.0; 195.0 and 225.0 min; flame color and combustion smoke 3.70; 3.65; 3.60 and 3.75. The results of variance analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on combustion temperature, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. It was concluded that the biochar briquettes produced had good combustion properties with indications of high combustion temperature (253.5°C), slow combustion rate (1.83 g/min), long combustion resistance (208.75 min), bluish red flame colour and no smoke emitted (score 3.68). The best treatment was shown in the mixture of 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% palm shell charcoal +10% corn cob charcoal (T₄).