Paper Briquettes with Oryza Sativa (Rice Hulls)

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Fiber) and Corn Starch

A Science Investigatory Project

Presented To:
Zebedee C. Lugto
Alegria National High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the subject

Research 10

Presented By:
Al Christian B. Azares
Vincent B. Vernal
Renjemhar C. Tubo
Angela F. Cabil

2022-2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------- 1

Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------- 2 – 3

Methodology ------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Results and Discussion ------------------------------------------------------------- 5 – 6

Conclusion and Recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------- 7

Acknowledgements ------------------------------------------------------------- 8

References -------------------------------------------------------------9– 10

Appendix

A. COLLECTION AND PREPARATION OF MATERIALS ---------------11

B. CUTTING AND GRINDING OF INGREDIENTS ---------------12

C. MIXING THE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER ---------------13

D. SUNDRYING AND TESTING OF PRODUCT ---------------14

ABSTRACT
 With the price hikes of various cooking fuels and the increase in pollution, the
researchers looked for a suitable alternative to these fuels. The researchers aim to create a
product that could act as an alternative fuel source that is economical and could perform well
compared to existing commercial fuels like charcoal that costs 35 pesos per kilo. The
researchers looked onto materials that are locally available in our environment. The
researchers saw that waste paper, rice hulls, and coconut fiber and starch as a binder to be the
fitting materials for our study. The materials were first cleaned. Next, the coconut fibers and
waste paper were cut and shredded into smaller pieces. Lastly, the materials were pressed,
molded, and dried. Observations, testings, and comparisons were done. Based on the results,
compared to briquettes made solely out of paper, the researchers briquettes were much more
durable. When it comes to the duration of the heat when burned, the product falls behind by a
small margin compared to commercial charcoal. Despite this, the product served to be an
effective fuel source alternative as it proved to be cheaper, and comparable to its commercial
counterpart. The researchers recommend to improve the quality of molds and presses to
create a much denser product, this could potentially increase the duration of heat when
burned. To hasten the drying process, the researchers also recommend to form the briquettes
into smaller sizes.

INTRODUCTION
 Charcoal is a wood or plant product burnt into a porous carbon mass. The process of
producing charcoal is not eco-friendly as it burns wood in bulk causing harmful gases to be
released in our atmosphere. It is observed that one of the most popular fuel sources in our
locality especially to those in the lower income class because of its availability. Other fuel
sources like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Propane is also a popular choice among
locals, though we are currently experiencing an increase in prices. The researchers aim to
create a briquette product as an alternative fuel source that is eco-friendly to produce, can
compete with the quality of wood charcoal and is much more cost efficient. The researchers
utilized materials common in our locality such as the fiber of the mature coconut (Cocos
nucifera) fruit, rice (Oryza sativa) hulls, corn starch, and waste paper. Coconut fiber is a
natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconuts (Cocos nucifera). Brown coir
harvested from fully ripened coconuts is thick, strong and has high abrasion resistance. The
predominant use of coconut husks is in direct combustion in order to make charcoal,
otherwise husks are simply thrown away. Coconut husk can be transformed into a value-
added fuel source which can replace wood and other traditional fuel sources (Salman Zafar,
2022)
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332259191_Productivity_and_Sustainability_of_C
oconut_Production_and_Husk_Utilization_in_the_Philippines_Coconut_Husk_Availability_
and_Utilization). Rice hulls (also known as rice husks) are the hard protecting coverings of
grains of rice (Oryza sativa). In addition to protecting rice during the growing season, rice
hulls can be put to use as building material, fertilizer, insulation material, or fuel
(https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-36721-2_6). Starch or amylum is a
polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds.
This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the
most common carbohydrate in human diets, and is contained in large amounts in staple foods
such as wheat, potatoes, maize (corn), rice, and cassava (manioc). Paper is a thin sheet
material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibers derived from
wood, rags, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh
leaving the fiber evenly distributed.

Many research has been done regarding paper charcoal, though findings suggest that
paper alone would make the less durable (https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/dlsu-
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research-congress-proceedings/2017/SEE/SEE-I-004.pdf). Thus, the researchers try to find
out what other material that are easily available that could be added to further increase the
durability of the paper charcoal. The researchers saw that the fiber found in coconuts and rice
hulls could hold on to the paper mixture to create a much more dense and durable product. In
addition, rice husk contains silica and potassium and can act as a fertilizer to plants (Ryoko
Sekifuji, Le Van Chieu & Masafumi Tateda, 2019). Rice hulls are composed of 20% silica.
Silica is a common mineral found in the earth's crust and is toxic to humans when inhaled
because of how it damages tissues in the lungs (www.health.state.mn.us). Therefore, the
researchers used a small amount of rice hulls based on the total weight of waste paper used.
The researchers considered in adding starch as binding agent and test whether it has an effect
in the durability of paper briquettes.
Background of the Study
Cooking fuel is an important part in the daily lives of the people. With the increase in
prices of non-renewable fuel such as natural gas, coal, and petroleum, people in low income
classes tend to use charcoal. Charcoal production isn't eco-friendly and though cheap, it still
costs money. The researchers observed that paper is one of the leading wastes in our
community. This led the researchers into thinking that paper charcoal could be an alternative
fuel source as waste paper is readily available anytime and anywhere. Coconut fiber and rice
husks are also readily available in the local environment. This could also help hasten waste
disposal and improve environmental development. The researchers looked at the
effectiveness of making fuel from coconut fiber, rice hulls, starch, and waste paper.
Objective of the Study
To create a fuel source from the following eco-friendly wastes and materials: coconut
fiber, rice hulls, starch, and waste paper, the researchers aim to do the following:
1. To create a fuel source out of coconut fiber, rice hulls, corn starch, and waste paper.
2. To determine if the coconut fiber and rice hulls can hold the paper mix together to enhance
the final products durability and appearance.
3. To compare the paper charcoal with store bought commercial charcoal.
Significance of the Study
The result of this study is hopefully beneficial and useful to the following entities:

1. The society. The study can enlighten people about the benefits of recycling. They
would also realize that organic briquettes may be an effective fuel source in their
3
 everyday cooking and this would help them save money.

2. The environment. The study about paper charcoal will lessen wood charcoal production
resulting into pollution and create an alternative that is easier and safe to dispose.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The focus of this study is to determine the effectiveness of briquettes made out of
paper, rice hulls, coconut fibers and starch as an alternative fuel source. Investigating the
performance of this will be described by the observation based of the appearance and weight
of two paper charcoals. Also, by telling the duration of heat when the studied product and its
commercial counterpart are burned. The study will be conducted in front of the researchers
house, and is expected to be carried out at a warm climate.

4
 METHODOLOGY
Waste paper were collected in each household of the researchers. All of the waste
paper were all in similar dimensions to ensure a much more uniform consistency therefore
cardboards and other similar paper materials were avoided. Rice hulls were collected nearby
rice production facilities. Coconut fibers were collected from mature coconuts that fell from
coconut trees. Lastly, corn starch was bought in the nearby store.
Processing the materials was done through with the use of scissors to cut and shred
the waste papers and coconut fibers into smaller and manageable pieces. Before shredding,
the coconut fibers were cleaned using hands to remove unwanted and hard particles. The rice
hulls were rinsed using clean tap water. First, in a medium sized basin, about 700 grams of
the shredded waste paper were soaked in water and was manually mashed into a fine
consistency. Second, 160 grams of the rice hulls, 140 grams of the coconut fiber, and 200
grams of starch were added and then hand-mixed thoroughly until the mixture was uniform.
Third, the mixture was then pressed and molded into cups to form briquettes that are about
one (1) inch in height and nearly 2.5 inches in diameter. Lastly, the briquettes were left to dry
under the sun until completely dry. In a separate bowl, only shredded waste paper was added
along with water and was mixed thoroughly. The mixture was pressed and molded into cups
forming briquettes that are also about one (1) inch in height and nearly 2.5 inches in diameter.
The products were left to dry under the sun. After that, the paper briquettes with the added
extra materials (rice hulls, coconut fiber, starch) and the paper briquettes made solely out of
paper were compared in weight and appearance. Both 100 grams of the paper briquettes and
commercially bought charcoal were compared in terms of how long they can hold up their
heat when burned.
Two set ups were prepared to test the effectiveness of the briquettes compared
to commercially bought charcoal. First set up is the commercially bought charcoal and the
second our homemade paper briquettes (with rice hulls, coconut fiber, starch). One-hundred
grams of both products were used. We observed the duration of the heat, for 120 minutes
with 30 minute intervals.

5
 Gather and prepare of the materials

Shredding of coconut coir and soaking of waste paper

Mixing of the mixture

Molding of mixture

Testing the product

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram

6
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

After weighting and observing the two briquettes with briquette one (1) made solely
out of paper and briquette two (2) with the three (3) extra ingredients (rice hulls, coconut
fiber, starch) and both with similar dimensions. Below is the data observed presented in
tabular form:

Table 1
Briquette 1 Briquette 2
Weight (grams) 20 25
Observable Cracks More cracks Less cracks
Texture Rough Rough

Below is the data (figure 1) of commercially bought charcoal. With the use of a
cellular phone stopwatch, the ignition time was observed. After the different intervals in
minutes (30,60,90,120), the heat was estimated to last around the 120 minute mark.

Commercial Charcoal

30 minutes 60 minutes 90 minutes 120 minutes

Ignition Time

Figure 1: Commercial Charcoal

7
 Home-made Charcoal

30 minutes 60 minutes 90 minutes 120 minutes

Ignition Time

The next figure below (figure 2) shows the data of our home-made paper briquettes (with
rice hulls, coconut fiber, starch). With the use of a cellular phone stopwatch, the heat was
observed. With the similar intervals in minutes (30,60,90,120), the ignition time of the home-
made briquettes lasted 30 minutes earlier than the commercially bought charcoal at around
the 90 minute mark.
 8

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion, the researchers are successful in creating paper-based briquettes that

can act as an effective fuel source alternative. It did not have the best result with its heat
duration when burned compared to commercial charcoal but by only a small margin.
However, it can be assured that the product is much more economical and eco-friendly as the
process of making it can be done in by everyone with little effort. Furthermore, the added
materials (rice hulls, coconut fiber, starch) are found to be effective in enhancing the
durability and appearance of the final product. The researchers suggest to make use of the
materials in our environments to create products that are innovative like our briquettes. For
improvements, it is recommended to have high quality presses and molds to create a denser
product that can burn even longer. To hasten the drying process, it is also recommended to
form the briquettes into smaller sizes.

9
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers are so grateful to the almighty father who guided us to attain our goal
and for giving us strength and courage to pursue.

The completion of this project wouldn't have been possible without the teamwork and
participation of each member of the group. Each of our contributions are sincerely
appreciated and acknowledged by one another.

Mrs. Zebedee C. Lugto, our Science Investigatory Project (SIP) teacher for teaching
us the ways on how to properly conduct a research, for answering our queries, and for her
patience.

To each of our parents and guardians who supported and provided us with the
necessary equipment and budget for our project.

We researchers, would like to express our gratitude and thanks.

10
 REFERENCES
Njenga, M., Karanja N., Prain G., Malii J., Munyao P., Gathuru K., Mwasi B. (2009)
Community-based energy briquette production from urban organic waste at Kahawa Soweto
informal settlement, Nairobi. Urban Harvest Working Paper Series 5, 2009.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=organic%20briquettes%20for
%20cooking&btnG=&fbclid=IwAR1nfVo1geRt9jLRwuw0VaO0eY9OpUeiDg3sXi7v2Fgm
kPAyDSrPsZq9v20#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3D_g-bJRfY5kgJ

Kung K., Kamil A., Ratti C., McDonald L. (2013) Low-cost production of charcoal
briquettes from organic waste. International Solid Waste Association Congress, 2013.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=organic%20briquettes%20for
%20cooking&btnG=&fbclid=IwAR2X5MSuqi3MJGX3J5Le5bzdcP_6ElcpNUQ1qmTArnJ
DjZ0jtNsnIT_o174#d=gs_qabs&t=1676214166599&u=%23p%3D7HjLeD7-_34J
Tiam P. K., Nandou M. T., Yadjie E., Tchuen G. (2021). Production and characterization of
environmentally friendly charcoal briquettes obtained from agriculture waste: case of
Cameroon. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1-8, 2021.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=organic%20briquettes%20for
%20cooking&btnG=&fbclid=IwAR2gEBzao_gaHU2sz3qDf0lc5WOkZUh-
r1vWn6r_8eZvV5fnyyhwDsb6LDk#d=gs_qabs&t=1676214194149&u=%23p
%3DQOb5kkmJzbAJ

Ajay K., Kalyani M., Devendra K., Om P. (2013). Properties and industrial applications of
rice husk: a review. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced
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%3D46KQhN4wmQsJ Darwin C., Joshua E., Jericho L. (2017). Fire Blocks: Paper as a
Renewable Source of Kindle for Fires. DLSU Research Congress 2017.

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APPENDIX A
 COLLECTING AND PREPARATION OF INGREDIENTS

Collecting of Rice hulls Extracting coconut fibers

Collecting scrap papers Measuring the weight of coconut

fibers.

Measuring the weight of Rice hulls Measuring the weight of scrap papers

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APPENDIX B
 CUTTING AND MIXING OF INGREDIENTS

Cutting of scrap paper Mixing of water with cutted scrap paper

Mixing of rice hulls with soaked scrap paper Mixing of coconut fibers with rice hulls

Final Mixture Molding of Ingredients

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APPENDIX C
 SUN DRYING AND TESTING OF PRODUCTS

Sun dry for 7 days Completely dried then you can use it

TESTING FOR STRENGTH OF PAPER BRIQUETTES

Start of comparison End of comparison

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