Pasil may now convert biomass wastes into fuel briquettes

Pasil, Kalinga – Pasil town in Kalinga may now convert biomass wastes into high density and energy concentrated fuel briquettes.

This is after the municipality led by Mayor Alfredo “Chao-ig” Malannag Jr. received on April 26, 2023, the complete set of charcoal briquetting equipment from the Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Kalinga.

The provision of such machinery from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute of DOST was made possible through Pasil’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) project.

The facility consists of a briquettor, mixer, dryer, and carbonizer for converting the wastes into charred powder which will be mixed with starch and molded under pressure into briquettes, said PSTO – Kalinga in a press release.

“The briquettes are a clean and efficient alternative to kerosene and electricity, and traditional charcoal, which is often produced by cutting down trees and contributes to deforestation. They burn longer and more evenly, produce less smoke and ash. The machine can produce up to 120 kilograms of charcoal briquettes per day and can be operated by a single person,” explained the provincial science and technology office.

The machine intends ‘to address the growing need for environment-friendly and sustainable fuel and the efficient management of agricultural and agro-forest wastes.’

Aside from reducing waste management costs, the newly-acquired facility will likewise provide a livelihood to the community as the products can be sold by small-scale entrepreneurs.

The briquettes are often cheaper than traditional charcoal, making them a more affordable fuel source for low-income households.

“It has been one of the advocacies of the DOST to provide SciTech-based solutions that can benefit local communities and promote environmental sustainability. The turnover of the charcoal briquetting machine to Pasil, Kalinga is just one example of the department's efforts to foster rural development and environmental conservation,” PSTO - Kalinga concluded.

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