Students of IPB Achieved Best Oral Presentation in Japan Through the Processing Equipment of Coconut Shell Waste

Students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biosystem (TMB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta) of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Mu'minah Mustaqimah, created a tool capable of making charcoal from coconut shell waste, named Kiln. "Indonesians love coconut ice, which leaves a lot of coconut shell waste. It is difficult to recycle. Finally, I try to think how to use this waste," she said.

This kiln is a way to use coconut shell to be converted into charcoal fuel. Mu'minah mentioned that charcoal is a fuel that is easy to use, close to the people of Indonesia, cheap, light and low risk. Charcoal also has many benefits, including as an alternative fuel for household, as filtration and for oral health.

Kiln utilizes the carbonization process at the combustion of coconut shells by limiting the oxygen that goes through the kiln drum, so that the coconut shell will become charcoal instead of ash. This tool has a simple enough design and is inexpensive, thus, it can be made by various parties starting from the family level. Materials for making kiln are originated from easily found items, including barrels or used drums that have lids and made as chimneys and bulkheads as well as the coconut shell waste as the main material.

Her creative idea had been awarded as the Best Oral Presentation in energy theme in Tri-U International Joint Seminar and Symposium (JISS) 2017 at Mei University, Japan, in October 2017. This international symposium is a prestigious event attended by various countries in the world and various academic background. "It was my unforgettable first experience. There we also performed Indonesian dances, one of which is Piring Dance," she concluded. (TK)