A Feasibility Study of Bio-Briquettes Production from the Skin and Epidermis Layer of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) as An Alternative Energy

Unprocessed leftover cassava wastes from the home industries in Pomahan Village in Bojonegoro, East Java, has become a serious problem as a pollutant to the environment. This study examined the quality of bio-briquettes made from cassava skin waste with its epidermis starch as an adhesive agent, or binder. The aim is to assess the quality of the bio-briquettes for alternative energy sources and their suitability from an economic point of view. The utilized research method was a descriptive quantitative approach by measuring water and ash content, calorific value test, and economic feasibility calculation. The results indicated that the highest calorific value of 5337.83 cal/g was obtained from a bio-briquette mix of 50 g cassava skin with 5% epidermis starch binder. This bio-briquette also possesses the lowest water and ash contents of 2.75 and 8%, respectively, compared to other mixtures. The economic feasibility calculation showed a BEP value of 423 kg/ month, B/C Ratio of 6.14-fold, ROI of 30%, and PBI of 0.2 years. In conclusion, cassava-based bio-briquettes are economically promising and environmentally friendly due to their biomass property and help to tackle the environmental problem due to the cassava waste.