BRIQUETTES FROM CARBONIZED COCONUT SHELLS FOR PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION

ABSTRACT This study investigates the production and characterization of briquettes produced from canonized coconut shell biomass using tapioca flour and Arabic gum as binders. Proximate analysis revealed that briquettes bound with Arabic gum exhibited superior performance, with a lower moisture content (7.8%) and ash content (9.05%), and a higher fixed carbon (75.15%) compared to those bound with tapioca flour, which showed moisture content (10.05%), ash content (12.50%), and fixed carbon (61.60%). Bulk density was comparable, with Arabic gum briquettes slightly higher (1.22 g/cm³) than tapioca-bound briquettes (1.21 g/cm³), indicating good compactness and energy density. Water resistance testing further demonstrated the structural durability of Arabic gum briquettes (82.86%), outperforming tapioca-bound briquettes (69.67%). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a carbondominant microstructure in both briquettes, with Arabic gum-bound samples showing better carbon uniformity and trace element distribution, enhancing combustion efficiency and structural integrity. The findings confirm that Arabic gum as a binder enhances briquette quality in terms of combustion efficiency, structural durability, and environmental compatibility, making it more suitable for high-performance applications. Tapioca flour remains a viable alternative where cost-efficiency and local availability are priorities. These results underscore the potential of binder optimization in producing sustainable biofuels from agricultural residues.