Estimated CO and NO2 Emissions Due to Conventional Brick Kilns in Sidrap Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

—The brick industry in Indonesia utilizes conventional burning methods that significantly impact CO and NO2 emissions, posing a severe environmental threat. The brick burning in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi, uses rice husks as fuel, an agricultural waste product. Therefore, it is necessary to study the impact of the emissions produced, especially since rice husks contain much carbon. This research takes a unique approach by assessing the effects of CO and NO2 emissions from conventional brick burning in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi, and examining the impact of husk volume on the combustion of the emissions produced. The research method involves the innovative technique of taking samples of ambient air around the brick kiln using an Impinger and analysis using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Air samples were taken at four different points, located at 2m, 4m, 6m, and 8m, from the burning location for eight consecutive days. The results showed that CO and NO2 concentrations increased significantly during the combustion process, with the highest concentrations at 2m from the combustion location. Meanwhile, the CO and NO2 concentrations increased at 8m from the combustion location. This research reveals that using rice husks as fuel is closely related to CO and NO2 emissions concentrations. Furthermore, this concentration is also influenced by environmental conditions, such as vegetation, which can reduce these emissions concentrations. The results of this research provide essential information for controlling air pollutant emissions from the brick industry, especially those that use rice husks as fuel, which can be used to develop air pollution mitigation strategies in the area.