Devia Gahana Cindi Alfian, Didik Supriyadi, Asnan Rinovian, Andhyka Tyaz Nugraha, Miftahul Huda, Dicky Januarizky Silitonga
The palm oil industry plays a key socio-economic role in tropical countries but generates waste with untapped economic potential. This work aims to advance sustainable solutions through valorization of plantation waste, specifically palm kernel shells, as biochar briquettes. In particular, this study assesses the potential of these briquettes for practical use by examining the physicochemical properties and combustion characteristics. The briquettes exhibit low moisture (5.3 wt%), moderate ash (9.54 wt%), volatile matter (39.72 wt%), fixed carbon (45.45 wt%), and a calorific value of 5477.18 Cal/g. Physicochemical evaluations via proximate and ultimate analyses, and FTIR spectroscopy allow comparison against mainstream products, with FTIR indicating increased carbonization and hydrophobicity. The assessment indicates that the briquette developed in the current study has favorable characteristics and is therefore industrially promising. Combustion kinetics and thermodynamic parameters are investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, which reveals ignition and burnout temperatures of 270–281 °C and 523–549 °C, respectively. The maximum burning rate reaches 8.92 %/min at 20 °C/min. Four isoconversional methods (Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, Starink, and Tang) are applied. Results indicate comparable average activation energies (126–138 kJ/mol), validating method consistency and supporting robust kinetic interpretation. Thermodynamic analysis confirms endothermic devolatilization, positive ΔG (127–139 kJ/mol), and negative ΔS (-0.138 to -0.142 kJ/mol.K), suggesting formation of ordered transition complexes. These findings highlight the industrial potential of biochar briquettes as a sustainable biomass fuel, supporting a circular economy. © 2025 The Authors.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Research Center for Mineral Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Lampung, 35361, Indonesia; Department of Industrial Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, 4 rue Augustin Fresnel, Metz, 57078, France; Vietnamese-German University, Ring Road 4, Thoi Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock