Production and Characterization of Bio-Briquettes Derived from Torrefied Cocoa Pod Husk and Durian Peel

The utilization of agricultural waste as a renewable energy source has gained significant attention in addressing environmental and energy challenges. The durian peel and cocoa pod husk as agriculture waste is widely found in Indonesia and could be used as bio-briquette sources. The purpose of this research is to produce and evaluate the physicochemical and energetic characteristics of briquette fuel derived from a blend of durian peel and cocoa pod husk. The process of preparing briquettes involved drying, torrefying, crushing, mixing with a binder, compacting, and finally drying the resulting briquettes. Proximate analysis, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, energetic analysis, and infrared spectroscopy analysis were used to characterize the briquettes that were formed. The study revealed that the bio-briquette produced from cocoa pod husk had a moisture content of 9.78%, ash content of 28.32%, volatile content of 29.41%, and fixed carbon of 32.49%. Conversely, the bio-briquette made from durian peel had a moisture content of 7.06%, ash content of 10.47%, volatile content of 34.94%, and fixed carbon of 47.53%. The calorific value of the durian peel bio-briquette exceeded that of the cocoa pod husk bio-briquette, measuring 6,448 cal/g and 4,872 cal/g, respectively. The combination of 45% durian peel and 45% cocoa pod husk increased the calorific value of the bio-briquette to 6,634 cal/g. The bio-briquettes produced in this study were found to be satisfactory for fuel energy. The economic analysis value according to the break-even point is reached or payback period (PP) within 3.46 years with an annual production capacity of 1,875,000 kg.