The Utilization of Metroxylon sago Dregs for Eco-friendly Bioethanol Stove in Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia’s dependency on fossil energy is relatively high; approximately 55 % fuel oil that comes from fossil is used in the household sector. The increasing of energy demand is not supported by the energy availability. This issue prompted the government of Indonesia to develop a diverse, cheaper, renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly alternative energy and to create an independent management which ensures the availability of energy to people in remote area. Among other possible solution, production of bioethanol from Metroxylon sago dregs as alternative energy resources is considered as the most feasible solution. Indonesia has ± 1,250,000 billion ha of sago plantation and in Papua there is ± 1,200,000 billion ha of land with sago potential, of which only 56 % is used. Research methods include fermentation of sago dregs to become bioethanol, its distillation process and flame characteristics. Results of laboratory experiment showed that sago dregs are viable as a source of fuel bioethanol because it still contains 82.4 % vol. of carbohydrate component. Measurement of flame temperature on bioethanol burner with ethanol content of 60 to 95 % is strongly influenced by these parameters: turbulence, temperature, mixing time and the rest of the air-fuel flow.

Keywords: bioethanol; flame characteristics; Metroxylon sago dregs

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