Evaluation of the technical-environmental performance of coconut and cocoa husk briquettes as an alternative to shihuahuaco charcoal in Yurimaguas-Peru

Laguna A.Y.L.; Flores A.P.N.; Lama J.-C.; Amico F.C. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.1021

Resumen

Air pollution from burning charcoal for cooking poses an environmental problem not only because of the health risks to millions of people, but also because of the depletion of vulnerable timber species. Peru is no exception, and this study evaluates the technical and environmental performance of briquettes made from Theobroma cacao (cacao) and Cocos nucifera (coconut) husks, generated as waste in the district of Yurimaguas, Loreto region (Peru), as an energy alternative to shihuahuaco (Dipteryx micrantha) charcoal, which is consumed in food preparation establishments and is a vulnerable species in that region. A completely randomized design (CRD) with a 5×2 factorial arrangement was applied, considering the type of biomass and the proportion of natural binder (10% and 15% cassava starch), to analyze the physicochemical properties of the briquettes according to ISO 17225-3. The briquettes presented moisture, ash, and calorific value values within the established ranges, with the T2Y2 mixture (75% cacao, 25% coconut, and 15% binder) identified as the optimal formulation. Furthermore, combustion tests, performed with DustMate equipment and a MultiRAE gas analyzer, showed a reduction of over 50% in CO, PM10 and PM2.5 emissions compared to shihuahuaco charcoal. The results demonstrate that coconut and cacao briquettes are a competitive energy alternative, both technically and environmentally, for the progressive replacement of charcoal.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas