DESIGNING A ROTARY SYSTEM BIOMASS CHARCOAL BRIQUETTE MACHINE PROTOTYPE

Abstract

The global interest in renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources has led to the increasing utilization of biomass-based fuels, including charcoal briquettes. As one of the most abundant and high-quality raw materials in tropical regions, coconut shell charcoal presents a valuable opportunity for sustainable fuel production. However, existing briquette production technologies, particularly those using screw conveyorr systems, still face challenges in terms of production continuity and the need for manual labor during the cutting process. This study aims to design and develop a prototype of a rotary system charcoal briquette machine that integrates a screw conveyor and a cam-based pressing mechanism. The screw conveyor is designed to function both as a material feeder and compactor, feeding the biomass into a rotary die system. The cam-driven press continuously forms rectangular briquettes without requiring additional cutting mechanisms. Analytical calculations were performed to determine the screw conveyor’s capacity, power requirement, and extrusion pressure. The designed prototype achieves a production capacity of 2,65 tons per hour using a screw rotation speed of 23 rpm, a screw diameter of 98 mm, and a pitch of 43 mm. The power required to drive the screw is calculated at 0,319 kW, and the extrusion pressure reaches 60,467 Pa. The integration of rotary dies enables a semi-automatic operation that significantly reduces labor intensity and improves process efficiency. The result is a compact, cost-effective, and practical machine suitable for small to medium-scale briquette production industries, particularly those focusing on coconut shell biomass.