Comprehensive Study on the Development and Acceptability of Green Charcoal Briquettes

Research Development and Identification of Green Charcoal Briquettes

The project titled "Development and Acceptability of Green Charcoal Briquettes Using Agricultural Waste" is conducted by researchers Ejay Mendez, Christine Mallorca, Alayza jane Elona, and Jomar Delasa, under the guidance of research adviser Jomar L. Bajamundi. This study addresses the long-standing use of traditional charcoal as a fuel source by proposing an alternative: Green Charcoal Briquettes. These briquettes are manufactured from common agricultural waste found in farm fields, specifically rice husk and coconut shell. The production process utilizes simple and safe do-it-yourself (DIY) methods to convert these waste materials into usable charcoal.

Green charcoal briquettes serve multiple purposes including use as a primary cooking fuel, a heating source, and a means for income generation for local communities. By repurposing materials that are typically discarded, this project seeks to provide a sustainable energy solution that is both accessible and environmentally conscious.

Comparative Literature and Quantitative Analysis

Several international and local studies provide a basis for the physical and chemical properties of alternative briquettes. A study by Anisha et al. ($2021$) investigated the combination of coconut shell, rice husk, and sugarcane. Their analysis revealed a moisture content ranging from $4.23\%$ to $5.13\%$, an ash content between $7.60\%$ and $8.60\%$, a density of $0.55 - 0.59\,g/cm^3$, and a compressive strength of $25.67 - 37.33\,kg/cm^2$.

In Nigeria, research by Abdulmumin et al. ($2025$) evaluated the energy potential of rice husk and sawdust. This analysis showed both moisture content and ash content within the range of $2.1 - 3.5\%$. Furthermore, a study in Malaysia by Azron et al. ($2021$) explored converting food waste into charcoal briquettes as an alternative disposal method. This research focused on the use of binders, specifically potato starch and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), at concentration ratios of $5\%$, $10\%$, and $15\%$.

In the Philippines, Caontao et al. ($2023$) conducted a comparative study between vegetable waste briquettes and commercial briquettes. Their statistical data for ash content levels showed that vegetable waste briquettes had a mean of $23.17$ (SD = $0.80$) based on three trials: Trial 1 ($23.1$), Trial 2 ($24$), and Trial 3 ($22.4$). In contrast, commercial briquettes had a mean ash content of $3.83$ (SD = $1.47$) across three trials: Trial 1 ($2.3$), Trial 2 ($4$), and Trial 3 ($5.2$). A t-test of these values yielded a p-value of $0.000$, indicating statistical significance at the $.05$ level. Regarding moisture content, the vegetable waste briquettes showed a mean of $30.20$ (SD = $1.13$), while commercial briquettes showed a mean of $32.67$ (SD = $3.01$).

Study Focus, Scope, and Delimitations

This specific study focuses on evaluating the performance of green charcoal briquettes, specifically their burning time and heat retention. It also aims to assess their effectiveness as a fuel source and their overall potential as a viable alternative to traditional briquettes. The research is geographically situated in Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon, with a focus on areas such as Dinapa, Amomonting, Pandan, Quirapi, Casa Joreb Resort, and Tomalaytay.

The study involves $30$ parent participants from Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon. It is delimited to the use of rice husk and coconut shell as raw materials. The investigation does not include other barangays in Castilla. Furthermore, it explicitly excludes the testing of commercial charcoal, marketing considerations, the testing of other charcoal types, and the measurement of specific moisture or ash content in the produced output, as it focuses primarily on performance characteristics and developmental feasibility.

Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks

The research is grounded in two primary theories. The Sustainable Development Theory posits that the development of green charcoal supports long-term environmental sustainability by providing a fuel alternative that reduces reliance on traditional wood charcoal, thereby mitigating environmental damage. The Circular Economy Theory emphasizes that materials should remain in use for as long as possible and should not be immediately discarded as waste, which aligns with the repurposing of agricultural residues.

The conceptual framework follows an Input-Process-Evaluation-Output model. Inputs include materials (rice husk, coconut shell, water, and cassava starch as a natural binder) and equipment (carbonizing drum, mortar and pestle, sieve, mixing basin, weighing scale, briquette mold, drying tray, and stopwatch). The development process entails collecting, cleaning, and drying raw materials, carbonizing them, crushing them into fine particles, sieving, preparing the binder, mixing, compressing, and drying until hardened. Evaluation is conducted by igniting the briquettes to measure burning time (using a stopwatch), heat retention, and combustion quality (ease of ignition, flame stability, smoke, and ash). The ultimate output is the successful development of an eco-friendly, sustainable fuel source with efficient combustion properties.

Research Questions and Methodological Approach

This study seeks to answer four primary research questions using specific methodological lenses. The first question explores the development procedures for producing the briquettes, utilizing a Developmental Method (Research and Development or R&D) to document step-by-step processes and materials. The second question concerns performance characteristics, namely burning time and heat retention, which are measured via an Experimental Method. The third question evaluates effectiveness as a fuel source and potential as a charcoal alternative, also through an Experimental Method based on actual results. The final question addresses recommendations for improvement through a Descriptive Method based on observations and analysis.

Primary data collection is facilitated through survey instruments including both close-ended and open-ended questionnaires. The study is designed to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including the local community, farmers, students, entrepreneurs, briquette manufacturers, product innovators, rice millers, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Local Government Units (LGU), waste management agencies, and future researchers.