Briquettes are an alternative fuel made from compacted organic materials. The use of briquettes has many advantages, especially in terms of moving the environment, because it can reduce dependence on firewood or fossil fuels that have the potential to damage nature. To produce quality briquettes, there are several crucial steps that need to be considered in the manufacturing process.
Selecting the Right Raw Materials
The initial stage in the briquette making process is determining the right raw materials. Common materials used for briquette production include sawdust, rice husks, dry leaves, and other organic waste. The selection of appropriate raw materials is crucial because it will affect the quality of the briquettes produced.
Preparation of Raw Materials
After the raw materials are selected, the next step is to prepare the materials. If using sawdust, rice husks, or other organic materials, make sure that the materials are dry and free from dirt. If the materials are still wet, the briquette making process can be disrupted, because wet materials will not burn properly.
Mixing Materials
After the raw materials are prepared, the next step is to mix the materials with the binder. The binder functions to maintain the density of the briquettes so that they do not easily crumble when used. Some binders that are often used are tapioca flour, charcoal, or other natural binders.
Briquette Printing
After the ingredients are mixed well and the dough is ready, the next step is to print the briquettes. Briquette printing can be done in various ways, from manual methods to using a briquette printing machine.
Drying Briquettes
After the briquettes are formed, the next step is to dry them. The drying process aims to remove the remaining moisture in the briquettes, so that the briquettes can burn well and are not easily destroyed. Drying can be done by drying in direct sunlight or using a drying oven.
Storage of Briquettes
Dry and ready-to-use briquettes must be stored properly so that they are not easily damaged or contaminated by moisture. Briquettes should be stored in a dry place and protected from rain or humid air.
Briquette Quality Testing
After the manufacturing process is complete, the last step is to test the quality of the briquettes produced. This testing aims to ensure that the briquettes produced are of good quality and can be used effectively.
Benefits of Using Quality Briquettes
Quality briquettes have many benefits, both in terms of the environment and economy. Some of the benefits of using briquettes include:
- Environmentally Friendly: Briquettes are made from environmentally friendly organic materials and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Combustion Efficiency: Quality briquettes have a stable and longer burning power, making their use more efficient.
- Reduce Pollution: By using briquettes, you can reduce air pollution caused by burning wood or fossil fuels.
- Efficient Use: Quality briquettes can be used longer, so you don't need to buy fuel often.
- Easy to Make Yourself: The briquette making process can be done at home or on a small industrial scale, opening up promising new business opportunities.
Conclusion
Making quality briquettes does require attention and precision in every step, starting from selecting raw materials to testing the quality of the briquettes.