Rice Husk Briquettes Amid the Soaring Condition of Biomass Fuel Demand

 "Briquettes are a compressed biomass fuel (densified biomass fuel) as an alternative to pellets."

The use of biomass energy is increasing day by day so this is a positive thing that needs to be encouraged. The increase in coal prices (domestic industry is priced at $90) and the resulting pollution are especially the driving force for energy use from the biomass. Among biomass energy, wood pellets are the most popular and most widely used form of biomass fuel. The use of wood pellets is not only used by processing industries but also by power plants. A number of small and medium industries such as tofu factories, cracker factories, and so on. Wood chips, as a simpler form, are less attractive than wood pellets, even though they are cheaper. With a low density, the transportation costs are also high, besides that the moisture content of wood chips is sometimes also less controlled.

The form of briquettes is also less popular than wood pellets. Briquettes can also be said as an alternative to pellets. The technology for making briquettes is the same as wood pellets, namely biomass densification, the difference is that the size of the briquettes is larger than wood pellets. Unlike wood pellets, which only use roller press technology for their production, briquettes have several variants of technology for their production, for more details, read here. But in Indonesia there is only one type of briquette, namely the screw press. Indeed, in many ways briquetting is easier than pelletizing. Biomass materials that are difficult to pelletize are usually easy to briquette. Certain types of boilers may also be more suitable for briquettes, compared to wood pellets, read in more detail here. Therefore, the use of briquettes should also be encouraged.

In addition to wood waste, agricultural wastes are also potential biomass for fuel. Rice husk is an abundant agricultural waste because the staple food of Indonesians is rice. It is estimated that the amount of rice husk is 15 million tons/year. However, with the high content of ash and silica, this rice husk is less desirable to make pellets because it is abrasive, thus shortening the service life of machine components. Likewise for making briquettes, but with a variant of the mechanical press technology, the abrasive problem can be minimized. The production of rice husk briquettes with mechanical press technology can be a solution for the utilization of the rice husk waste. In the midst of the increasing use of biomass fuels, rice husk briquettes can be the next alternative.

Mining Sector and Post-Mining Reclamation

The photo is taken from here

Among the mining sector, coal is the largest mining product in Indonesia and even ranks third at the world level. In 2021 coal production was recorded at 576 million tons and it is projected that there will be only a slight decline in 2024, which is to 570 million tons. This coal is also the largest source of state income after Indonesia's oil can no longer be exported because production runs out for domestic consumption and even less so that it has to become an oil importer. But in the long term the future of coal is bleak as its use is increasingly restricted due to climate concerns. Countries that have ratified the Paris agreement have committed to reducing fossil fuels, especially coal with concrete steps, namely not building new coal power plants, cofiring with renewable energy at coal power plants, converting coal power plants into 100% biomass power plants (fulfiring) and closing a number of coal power plants and replace it with other renewable energy sources.

On the other hand, the post-mining activity also caused a lot of environmental damage, especially the land. Land damage will trigger natural disasters that endanger human life. Do not let the mining activities exploit its natural resources to the fullest but also leave natural damage that is no less severe. Of course this condition is very bad. The obligation of reclamation has also not been carried out properly, many even do not do it or just do it symbolically, imaging and mere formality while the purpose of reclamation itself is not achieved. The threat of a fine of 100 billion rupiah is also imposed for companies that ignore the reclamation to further encourage the reclamation activities.

According to Rizal Kasli, the general chairman of Perhapi (Indonesian Mining Experts Association), currently there are infrastructure and resource constraints (costs) in the implementation of the reclamation, namely for medium and small mining companies, for more details read here. This means that for large companies with large volumes of mining production there should be no obstacles, but stricter law enforcement is needed, according to Rizal Kasli. If large mining companies carry out reclamation properly, of course this is good and becomes an example for small and medium mining companies, but if the opposite happens, it will exacerbate environmental damage. Compensation or profit from the mining business should be in line and proportional to the improvement of the land or post-mining land (reclamation and rehabilitation).

The photo is taken from here

Why do a lot of mining companies generally ignore or neglect reclamation and post-mining land rehabilitation? In addition to the rules that are not strictly enforced, of course the problem is the cost. Mining companies have to spend a lot of money for the reclamation and rehabilitation of post-mining land, the costs depend on the conditions and the area of ​​the land. This of course burdens and reduces the profits of the mining company itself, causing reluctance. So even if reclamation and land rehabilitation are carried out, they are only symbolic, imaging and formality. This can be said to have no impact or achieve the goals of post-mining land reclamation and rehabilitation itself. 

Whereas the purpose of land reclamation and rehabilitation is one of the efforts to prepare fertile land for the future. So what if the reclamation turns out to be a profitable activity? This is certainly very interesting and motivating the mining companies. Bio-economy based reclamation and rehabilitation projects will be able to provide benefits for mining companies that do so. With these benefits, the land reclamation and rehabilitation program will be able to run well and sustainably, so that the entire post-mining area can be touched. We are currently developing a bioeconomic program for the post-mining land reclamation and rehabilitation, for more detailed information please contact us at cakbentra@gmail.com

Sheep-Palm Oil After Cow-Palm Oil

In 2050 the world's population is estimated to reach 9 billion people. The need for food, especially protein, will also definitely increase. With a human population of 9 billion, protein needs are estimated at 250 million tons per year or 50% more than today's protein production. Insects are strong candidates to achieve the target protein requirement, which can be applied to feed and food. Promotion of protein sources from insects is carried out by a number of countries in Europe. The advantage of insects as a source of protein is mainly because with a smaller amount of feed these insects can produce the same amount of protein as traditional farming. According to the FAO, insects such as crickets need six times less feed than cattle, four times less than sheep, and twice as little as pigs and broilers to produce the same amount of protein.

The types of insects permitted to be bred by the European Commission for this purpose include only 7 species of insects, namely 3 types of crickets, 2 types of caterpillars and 2 types of flies. A number of insect farming companies (insect producers) have also sprung up in Europe and it is estimated that two thirds of these insects are for animal feed and one third for food or human consumption. Protein is one of the important elements in human diet. Islam regulates this food issue, so that only halal food can be consumed by Muslims around the world. And it would be even better is a food group that is halal thayibban. Eating insects such as crickets should be avoided by Muslims and seek better food such as sheep, goats and cows.

In order to meet the protein needs, there are a number of ways that can be done to anticipate the increasing needs. Indonesia is the owner of the largest palm oil plantation in the world with an area of ​​more than 15 million hectares or more than one half of the island of Java and this has great potential if it can be exploited. The integration of cattle farming in palm oil plantations has been widely carried out and this can be optimized by integrating sheep-palm oil plantation also. In fact, the two activities can complement each other because the two activities are not carried out simultaneously in the same palm oil plantation. When palm oil plantations are replanted (plant rejuvenation), then at the age of palm oil trees less than 3.5 years, cows cannot be grazed on that land and the same land can be used for sheep grazing. The replanting (plant rejuvenation) of palm oil plantations is carried out in turns in the palm oil plantation area, so that livestock or sheep grazing also follows suit.

Lamb is halalan thayibban food even used in worship, namely for aqiqah and qurban. The production of sheep-based protein is certainly highly recommended so that in addition to meeting the protein needs in halalab thayibban food, is also to support the practice of worship. With the largest Muslim population in the world and vast oil palm plantation, running sheep farms as a source of protein would certainly be much better. With an area of ​​​​palm oil plantations reaching more than 15 million hectares, the potential for meat production from sheep is also huge.