Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
Division of City Schools- Pasay City
Pasay City

Santol (Sandoricum koetjape) leaves as Bio-coal: Charcoal Briquette

Applied Science- Team Category

(Senior High School)

A Science Investigatory Project

Presented to Division of Pasay City
Division Science Fair 2019
S.Y. 2019-2020

Raven Aaliyah C. Danganan

Marijo G. Del Rosario
Cyrene Rose C. Manibale
Project Proponents

Mary Ann E. Garcia

Adviser

Pasay City South High School

Division of City Schools, Pasay

i
 Acknowledgement
The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the following persons who
contribute in this research.
To their beloved research advisers, Ms. Mary Ann E. Garcia and Mr. Fernan G.
Ferriol for their unending guidance, support, and their patience for the researchers who are
undergoing this study.
To all the panelists, for helping the researchers clarify and help with the study. To the
researchers’ beloved parents, Mrs. Michelle Angel Danganan, Mrs. Cynthia Manibale and
Mrs. Mary Joy G. Del Rosario for their loving support and understanding.

ii
 PASAY CITY SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
Telefax: 359-39-94/ 533-08-86
Website: http://pcshs.depedpasay.ph/

Santol leaves as Bio-coal: Charcoal Briquette

Raven Aaliyah C. Danganan, Marijo G. Del Rosario and Cyrene Rose C. Manibale
Grade 12 STEM, Pasay City South High School

Abstract
A charcoal is a heating material that can use in cooking and industrial usage. Charcoal
Briquette ignites easily and quickly unlike the conventional coal we use in cooking. This type
of coal is known as Bio-coal Briquette. Cutting trees and burning it, is one of the method on
the usual charcoal making. Lots of trees are cut down and burned just to make charcoals. The
researchers constructed a project from dried leaves and coconut husk that produces charcoal
briquettes. It lessen the trees burned down instead, it is produced from natural that
accumulated through waste. The researchers acquired the santol dried leaves from the
backyard, the corn starch will be bought from the local market, and the coco peat also bought
in the local market. The researchers tested the concentration of santol leaves and corn starch
and the significant difference between the commercially sold charcoal briquette in terms of
hardness, water resistance and combustibility. Upon analyzing the data, the researchers have
found out that bio-coal made from santol leaves and coco peats ignites efficiently and has
most combustibility and its hardness are not severely damage unlike to commercial coal.
However, both commercial charcoal and bio-coal are not water resistant. For the
combustibility, the bio-coal ignites agile compared to commercial charcoal. Therefore, the
santol leaves, cornstarch and coco peats are effective in making a bio-coal

Keywords: Charcoal, santol leaves, coco peat

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 Table of Contents

Title Page-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i
Acknowledgement--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii
Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii
Table of Contents----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv
List of Tables---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------v
CHAPTERS
I. INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study---------------------------------------------------------------------1-2
Research Questions---------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Research Hypotheses-------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Significance of the Study--------------------------------------------------------------------4
Scopes and Limitations----------------------------------------------------------------------4
II. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
Research Design------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
Materials and Equipment--------------------------------------------------------------------5
Procedures-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5-6
Isometric Layout------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
III RESULTS and DISCUSSIONS----------------------------------------------------------7-11
IV. CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS-------------------------------------12
V. REFERENCES----------------------------------------------------------------------------13-14
VI. APPENDIX---------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-16

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 List of Tables

Table

1. Percentage of Variables--------------------------------------------------6

2. Concentration of Santol leaves and Cornstarch-----------------------7

3. Hardness of Bio-coal-----------------------------------------------------8

4. Water Resistant of Bio-coal---------------------------------------------9

5. Combustibility of Bio-coal----------------------------------------------10

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 Chapter I

Introduction

A charcoal is a heating material that can use in cooking and industrial usage.

Charcoal Briquette ignites easily and quickly unlike the conventional coal we use in cooking.

This type of coal is known as Bio-coal Briquette. “Bio-coal Briquette is a solid fuel prepared

by compacting pulverized coal, biomass, binder, and sulfur fixation agent.” (Tiwari, 2011)

Bio-coal briquette has a favorable ignition, better thermal efficiency, emits less dust.

Charcoal fines have clean compared to lump charcoal. The fines contain fragments, mineral

sand and clay from the earth and the surface of the fuel wood and its bark. The fine powdered

charcoal acquired from bark, twigs and leaves. (Ayhan Demirbas & Ch. A. I. Raju, 1998) As

a result, it has a greater amount of content than a normal wood charcoal.

“Charcoal enterprise has been adopted to meet some socio-economic benefits and

energy needs of the people” (Adeniji, 2015). Most of the people live in rural areas use

charcoal as a tool to cook their food. Cutting trees and burning it, is the method on the usual

charcoal making. Lots of trees are cut down and burned just to make charcoals.

The FPRDI Director Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan explains that “A charcoal briquette is a

compacted mass of fuel material made from a mix of charcoal fines and binder, and molded

under pressure. Although bio-coal briquettes are not well known in the Philippines. The

product are being used on household fuel in Europe and America." Here in the Philippines,

charcoal briquettes are not very well known because lack of the machines or inventions and

the sustainability of raw materials. Thus, it is still on progress.

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 According to the survey that made by the team of Cortiguerra (2013), it shown as

there is a high demand for charcoal briquette in abroad. She also reports that "The biggest

strength is the huge demand for briquettes in the US, Europe, Japan, Korea and Malaysia.

Likewise, as an alternative fuel, briquettes in the future can replace much of the country’s

expensive energy sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene and electricity.”

Having a strong innovative producers and a wide range of available raw materials leads to

large productivity of the product.

Today, the Philippines still import into the other country because of its durable and

long lasting. Thus, the other country has a wide range machine that can hasten the work of

charcoal briquettes. In the Philippines, there are still some development to fix in terms of

machines, raw materials and price in the market.

The researchers constructed a project from dried leaves and coco peats that produces

charcoal briquettes. It lessen the trees burned down, it is produced from natural that

accumulated through waste. There are Charcoal Briquette made from water lily plants,

Bamboo, Waste paper and wheat straw, sugar cane etc. Researchers has widely discovered

bio-coal: charcoal briquette as their research to study it thoroughly to have a better

understanding towards the production of charcoal briquette.

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b. Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to find out the feasibility of santol leaves as Bio-coal. Moreover, it

aimed to sought answers on the following questions:

1. What concentration of santol leaves and corn starch will produce a highly combustible

coal?

2. Is there a significant difference between the commercially sold charcoal briquette in

terms of:

a. Hardness

b. Water Resistance

c. Combustibility

c. Research Hypothesis

Alternative Hypothesis

There is a significant difference between the bio-coals and commercial coals in terms

of hardness, water resistance and combustibility.

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant difference between the bio-coals and commercial coals in

terms of hardness, water resistance and combustibility.

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d. Significance of the study

The findings of this study will benefit to the following people:

Families

It can help families to use a bio-coal: charcoal briquette which lessen the use

of traditional charcoal.

Community

It can help the community on reducing the trees being cut down which leads to

less air pollution and other disasters.

Future Researchers

This research can help future researchers who will tackle the same or related

topic as the research here.

e. Scope and Limitation

The study focused on the santol dried leaves, corn starch and coco peats in making the

Bio-coal. The study conducted to determine the effectiveness of Bio-coal. The researchers

picked up the santol dried leaves from ground at the backyard and it is used as a material in

making the bio-coal. For the testing, the researchers only focused on the significant

difference between bio-coal and commercial coals in terms of hardness, mineral matter

content (high ash coal, low ash coal), water resistance, and combustibility.

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 Chapter II

Methodology

a. Research Design

Experimental Design was used in this study. The researchers use one

experimental group and one control group. For the experimental design, the

researchers used the dried santol leaves while the control group used a tree log.

Comparison were made between the two groups in terms of: size, weight, color, and

burning time.

b. Materials

The materials was used in making the Bio-coal were dried santol leaves,

Cornstarch, and coco peats. As an additive, a stainless bowl and pringles container

was used as a molder.

c. Procedure

c.1 Gathering of Materials

The dried santol leaves was acquired from the backyard, the corn starch and

coco peats was bought from the local market.

c.2 Preparation of Equipment’s

The researchers prepared a stainless bowl for the container of the mixtures,

surgical gloves to protect hands from any possible chemical and pringles container for

molding the bio-coal.

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c.3 Preparation of the set up

The santol dried leaves were crushed into small pieces. Next, the cornstarch

was mixed with water. Then, the dried santol leaves and coco peats was placed on the

stainless bowl together with the cornstarch. After that, the ingredients were mixed

thoroughly. Then, placed it in a pringles container to mold the substance. After that,

put it on a steel pan and place it inside the 180°C for 30 minutes to harden. Then,

remove the hardened substance from the paper mold and make a hole on the center of

the coal. After that, remove the pringles container from the molded coal.

c.4 Table 1

Percentage of Variables

Set Up Dried Santol leaves Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g)

(g)
A 64g 16g 16g

B 32g 16g 32g

C 16g 16g 64g

c.5 Testing

For the testing procedure, the researchers burned the product on direct fire to

test the combustibility and the ash content of the product. The researchers soaked the

product on a bowl of water to test the water resistance of the product. And the

researchers drop the charcoal to test the hardness of the product.

d. Isometric Layout

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 Chapter III

Results and Discussion

Table 2

Concentration of santol leaves and corn starch

First Trial
Set Up Dried Santol leaves Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g)
(g)
A 64 16 16
B 32 16 32
C 16 16 64

Interpretation:

On the first trial, the researchers tested the combustibility of bio-coal. However, it did

not burn due to the enormous size of bio-coal and the researchers did not burn the dried

leaves before combines with the other substance.

Second Trial

Set Up Dried Santol leaves Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g)

(g)
A 64 16 16

B 32 16 32

C 16 16 64

Interpretation:

On the second trial, the researchers tested the combustibility of bio-coal through

combustible coal. The set up A burns easily unlike to set up B and set up C.

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Table 3

Hardness of Bio-coal

Variables 5m 10m 15m 20m

Expected 1 2 2 3

Control 1 1 2 2

Here are the categories which can be ranked regarding to the hardness of Bio-coal:

Charcoal Briquette.

3 Severely Damaged
2 Slightly Damaged
1 Undamaged

Result

Type of 50cm 65cm 80cm 95cm

charcoal
Commercial 1 2 2 3
charcoal

Bio-coal 1 1 2 2

Interpretation:
The researchers tested the commercial charcoal and bio-coal through dropping by

using meter stick above the ground by 50 cm. The commercial charcoal and bio-coal dropped

at the same time and it’s undamaged. On the other hand, the commercial charcoal and bio-

coal dropped at 65 cm above the ground, however, the commercial charcoal had slightly

damaged while the bio-coal still remain undamaged. Then, on 80 cm above the ground, the

researchers dropped the commercial charcoal and bio-coal and both had slightly damaged.

For the 95 cm above the ground, the commercial charcoal had severely damaged while the

bio-coal had slightly damaged.

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Table 4
Water Resistant of Bio-coal

Variables 5 seconds 15 seconds

Expected 2 3
Control 2 3

Here are the categories which can be ranked regarding to the hardness of Bio-coal:
Charcoal Briquette.

3 Not water resistant

2 Likely water resistant
1 Water resistant

Result
Type of Charcoal 5 seconds 15 seconds
Commercial charcoal 3 3
Bio-coal 3 3

Interpretation:
The researchers tested the water resistance of the commercial charcoal and the bio-

coal. The commercial and innovation coal soaked in water for several seconds. As a result,

the commercial and bio-coal is not water resistant.

First Trial
Set Up Dried Santol leaves Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g)
(g)

A 64 16 16

B 32 16 32

C 16 16 64

xiv
Interpretation:

On the first trial, the researchers tested the combustibility of bio-coal. However, it did

not burn due to the enormous size of bio-coal and the researchers did not burn the dried

leaves before combines with the other substance.

Second Trial

Set Up Dried Santol leaves Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g)

(g)

A 64 16 16

B 32 16 32

C 16 16 64

On the second trial, the researchers tested the combustibility of bio-coal and here are

the comparison of commercial and innovation.

Table 5

Combustibility of Bio-coal
Set-up A Set-up B Set-up C

Commercial 20 seconds 20 seconds 20 seconds

Innovation 10 seconds 20 seconds 30 seconds

Interpretation:

In set-up A, the innovation burned faster than the commercial. While in set-up B, the

innovation and the commercial burned at the same time. And in set-up C, the commercial

burned faster than the innovation.

xv
 Here are the categories which can be ranked regarding to the combustibility of Bio-

coal: Charcoal Briquette

3 Completely burned
2 Burned, but not completely burned
1 Burned
0 Failed to burn

Result

Set Up Dried Santol Cornstarch (g) Coco Peats (g) Rank

leaves (g)

A 64 16 16 3

B 32 16 32 2

C 16 16 64 1

Interpretation:

Set-up A ranked 3 because it burned completely. While Set-up B ranked 2 because it

is burned, but did not burned completely. And set-up C ranked 1 because it only turned black

(burned).

xvi
 Chapter IV

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion

Therefore, the researchers conclude that, the set-up A has the most combustibility

among the set-up B and set-up C. Set-up A ignites efficiently compared to commercial

charcoal and other set-ups. For the hardness, the researchers tested the impact value of the

bio-coal and it remained at its form while the commercial coal shattered into pieces.

However, when it comes to water resistance, the commercial charcoal and bio-coal are not

water resistant. The researchers also noticed that the commercial charcoal’s smoke when

burning, has an awful smell while the bio-coal charcoal do not have an awful smell when

burning.

Recommendation

For the future researchers, the researchers recommend that if you are going to collect

the dried leaves, make sure that it is totally dried and let it dry under the sun because the

researchers collect the dried leaves but it is not totally dried so the researchers put it into the

oven so that it will be dry. After making the bio-coal, you let it dry under the sun and burn it

until it will become black. So that if you are going to use it or if you are planning to burn, it

will burn easily and it will not consume the time. Make sure to be careful on removing the

bio-coal on the molder by getting a help from adults to avoid any accident or disaster. The

researchers also recommend to make use of other leaves rather than santol leaves, because

there is a lot to discover from other types of leaves.

xvii
 Chapter V

References

Ayhan Demirbas, A. S., & Ch. A. I. Raju, K. R. (1998). Evaluation of biomass residue,

"Briquetting waste paper and wheat straw mixtures" . Fuel Processing Technology,

175-183.

Tiwari, C. (2011). Producing fuel briquettes from sugarcane waste. EWB-UK National

Research & Education Journal, 39-45. Retrieved from Chesta Tiwari, “Producing

fuel briquettes from sugarcane waste”, EWB-UK National Research & Education

Journal, 220-550, Pages 39-45, 2011. [.

C, M. S. (2004). The health benefits of interventions to reduce indoor air pollution from solid

fuel use: a cost- effectiveness analysis. . Energy for Sustainable Development , 53–59.

Ezzati M, &. K. (2001). Indoor air pollution from biomass combustion and acute respiratory

infections in Kenya: an exposure-response study. The Lancet, 619–624.

Cosmic Coir. (2010). Benefits of coco coir. Cosmic Coir is the best available coconut coir

growing medium.

S.A. Ndindeng, J. M.-A. (2015). Quality optimization in briquettes made from rice milling

by-products. Energy for sustainable development, 24-31.

Cosmic Coir. (2010). Benefits of coco coir. Cosmic Coir is the best available coconut coir

growing medium.

xviii
Araral, R. K. (2015, June 8). Charcoal briquetting in the Philippines: Challenges and

prospects. Retrieved from http://www.fprdi.dost.gov.ph/index.php/114-charcoal-briquetting-

in-the-philippines-challenges-and-prospects?fbclid=IwAR2nNgDPvrYCVNYJayy-

X48_VNiPMqTSZTOmAC4ihVoo2sFgnuAfFX0wBOc

(n.d.).Retrieved from

http://www.fao.org/3/X5328E/x5328e0c.htm?fbclid=IwAR1sTvFnTWBB7NsHLZvSH8dkd9

CWFEYEbl085arox7ByijmxFbfr4eWBVqA

xix
 Chapter VI

Appendix

Fig. 1- the ingredients and Fig. 2- santol dried leaves. Fig. 3- measure the santol
materials are prepared. dried leaves.

Fig. 4- measure the coco Fig. 5- combine the Fig. 6- measure the
peats. ingredients cornstarch

xx
Fig. 7- solute the cornstarch Fig. 8- combine the solution Fig. 9- mix the ingredients.
in water. on the mixed ingredients.

Fig. 10- place it in the Fig. 11- put a hole on the Fig. 12- place I inside the
molder. molded charcoal. oven.

Images taken by:

Raven Aaliyah C. Danganan

xxi

Fig. 13- remove the

charcoal on the molder.