Flax Fiber Waste Could Replace Firewood, says Researcher
31 January 2015 17:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Flax fiber that is processed into briquettes can be an alternative fuel for villagers. Asri Peni Wulandari, a Biology lecturer of Padjajaran University said that the flax briquettes offer more heat compared to coal.
"The calorific value or the heat produced by the flax briquettes is higher than that produced by coal briquettes," Asri said.
The flax stems have been produced as wastes by flax fiber Industry in Wanaraja, Garut district, Sukabumi, Malang, and Bengkulu. Asri went through her research on the flax waste for five years. According to Asri, 95 percent of the flax become waste because only 5 percent is usable in the industry.
Our research is aimed to process the waste into briquettes and prevent people to search for firewood in the forest.
"Flax leaves can be fermented into fertilizer," she added.
The research result shows that flax briquettes produce heat value up to 6,200 per gram, which is higher than heat produced by coal (5000) and firewood (3,700). But, the value is half of that of LPG.
This kind of briquette is also way cheaper than the commonly used 3-kg LPG canister and coconut shell biobriquette. By assuming the flax briquettes are sold Rp2,500 per kilogram and a family uses only 5 kilogram per month, the monthly cos for this fuel will be only Rp12,500.
Asri and her team is now pioneering the production plant for the flax briquettes and the stove in Wanaraja, Garut.
“Surrounding residents will be involved. Principally, the flax briquettes are easy to make and easy to use for the people,” she said.
ANWAR SISWADI
