Production and Characterization of Briquettes from Carbonized Coconut Shells

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 carbon-
dominant 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.