Effect of Adding LDPE, PP and Biodegradable Plastic Waste on Physical Properties, Calorific Value and Proximate Analysis of Peanut Shell Waste Briquettes

Abstract

Peanut shell (PS) waste and plastic waste are abundant in Indonesia and have the potential to pollute the environment. The limited availability of fossil fuels also makes all parties look for other energy sources. This research aims to find a solution to this problem. The effect of adding low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and biodegradable plastic to briquettes made from peanut shell waste was investigated in this research. Briquettes were made using starch adhesive and a compaction pressure of 70 N/m2 using a laboratory scale piston. The compression test is essential because, during the stacking process, the briquettes must withstand loads from external pressure, which significantly influences the quality of the briquettes during storage and transportation. This research found that adding biodegradable plastic increased the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of briquettes, namely 20 MPa and 4.45 MPa, compared to briquettes without plastic. The highest calorific value of briquettes in this study was obtained from the addition of PP plastic, amounting to 6185 cal/g. Based on the quality of the briquettes, the lowest moisture content was obtained from the addition of LDPE plastic at 7.71%, and the lowest ash content was obtained from the addition of biodegradable plastic at 4.01%, the lowest volatile content was obtained from the addition of PP plastic amounting to 15.71%. The most considerable fixed carbon content was obtained from adding PP plastic, amounting to 80.25%.