Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Limbah biomassa merupakan salah satu sumber energi terbarukan yang berpotensi
menggantikan bahan bakar fosil dan mengurangi dampak lingkungan. Penelitian ini
bertujuan untuk menguji kinerja mesin pencetak briket semi otomatis dengan bentuk
cetakan bulat dan persegi panjang menggunakan bahan baku campuran sekam padi dan
tempurung kelapa dengan perekat tepung tapioka. Latar belakang penelitian didasarkan
pada kebutuhan energi alternatif terbarukan dan pemanfaatan limbah biomassa yang
melimpah di Indonesia. Mesin pencetak briket semi otomatis diharapkan mampu
meningkatkan efisiensi produksi serta menghasilkan briket dengan kualitas yang
memenuhi standar SNI 01-6235-2000.
Penelitian dilaksanakan di Pusat Riset Mekanisasi Perbengkelan Pertanian dan
Laboratorium Teknik Pasca Panen Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Syiah Kuala pada Mei
Juli 2025. Bahan yang digunakan yaitu sekam padi, tempurung kelapa, tepung tapioka, dan
air, sedangkan alat utama adalah mesin pencetak briket semi otomatis. Prosedur penelitian
meliputi persiapan bahan baku, pengarangan, pengayakan dan pencampuran perekat,
pencetakan, pengovenan, serta pengujian. Parameter yang diamati meliputi kapasitas kerja
mesin, efisiensi, kuat tekan, kadar abu, dan nilai kalor.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kapasitas teoritis mesin sebesar 11,34 kg/jam dan
kapasitas aktual 8,46 kg/jam dengan nilai efisiensi 74,6%, yang menandakan mesin masih
perlu penyempurnaan pada sistem mekanis dan desain screw extruder. Nilai kuat tekan
tertinggi diperoleh pada briket persegi panjang campuran ketiga sebesar 128,888 N/m2,
sedangkan kadar abu terendah terdapat pada briket bulat campuran pertama dengan nilai
12,49%. Nilai kalor tertinggi dicapai oleh briket bulat campuran pertama sebesar 4.813,28
kal/g, namun seluruh hasil masih di bawah standar SNI (≥5.000 kal/g). Faktor penyebab
rendahnya nilai kalor antara lain tingginya kadar air dan abu dalam briket.
Secara keseluruhan, mesin pencetak briket semi otomatis ini telah mampu
beroperasi dengan baik namun masih belum optimal dalam menghasilkan briket sesuai
standar mutu nasional. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan penelitian lanjutan untuk memperbaiki
desain mesin serta mengoptimalkan komposisi campuran bahan baku dan perekat agar
diperoleh kualitas briket dengan kadar abu rendah, kuat tekan tinggi, dan nilai kalor yang
memenuhi SNI. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi dasar pengembangan
teknologi mesin briket semi otomatis yang efisien dan berkelanjutan di bidang energi
terbarukan.

Biomass waste is one of the renewable energy sources that has the potential to replace fossil fuels and reduce environmental impact. This study aims to test the performance of a semi-automatic briquette molding machine with round and rectangular mold shapes using a mixture of rice husk and coconut shell raw materials with tapioca flour adhesive. The research background is based on the need for alternative renewable energy and the abundant utilization of biomass waste in Indonesia. Semi-automatic briquette molding machines are expected to be able to increase production efficiency and produce briquettes with quality that meets SNI 01-6235-2000 standards. The research was carried out at the Agricultural Workshop Mechanization Research Center and Post-Harvest Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Syiah Kuala University in May and July 2025. The materials used are rice husks, coconut shells, tapioca flour, and water, while the main tool is a semi-automatic briquette molding machine. The research procedure includes raw material preparation, authoring, sifting and mixing of adhesives, printing, ovening, and testing. The observed parameters include the working capacity of the machine, efficiency, compressive strength, ash content, and calorific value. The results showed that the theoretical capacity of the machine was 11.34 kg/h and the actual capacity was 8.46 kg/h with an efficiency value of 74.6%, which indicates that the machine still needs to be refined in the mechanical system and screw extruder design. The highest compressive strength value was obtained in the third mixed rectangular briquette of 128.888 N/m2, while the lowest ash content was found in the first mixed round briquette with a value of 12.49%. The highest calorific value was achieved by the first mixed round briquettes of 4,813.28 cal/g, but all results were still below the SNI standard (≥5,000 cal/g). Factors that cause low calorific values include high moisture content and ash in the briquettes. Overall, this semi-automatic briquette molding machine has been able to operate well but is still not optimal in producing briquettes according to national quality standards. Therefore, further research is needed to improve the machine design and optimize the composition of the mixture of raw materials and adhesives in order to obtain briquette quality with low ash content, high compressive strength, and calorific value that meets SNI. The results of this research are expected to be the basis for the development of efficient and sustainable semi-automatic briquette machine technology in the field of renewable energy.