POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 1

GREEN INNOVATION: HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF COW MANURE AND

SAWDUST AS BIO-CHARCOAL

A Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of Agribusiness Management Department

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Lopez, Quezon Campus

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship

by

CLANZA, ERIKA R.
MAÑAS, CRYSTAL MAY

ORTEGA, MICHAELLA C.
PRIVADO, MARK CHRISTIAN G.

SUBIDO, LOISE ANNE P.

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Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Administrations, national forestry agencies, and associations of nongovernmental

organizations have expressed special worry about the supposed disastrous natural and

adverse effects of charcoal manufacturing across tropical regions worldwide.

Deforestation, or the clearing of forests or forest habitat, is the result that is most

frequently mentioned. Warming gasses like carbon dioxide and methane are released

into the surroundings when wood is burned to produce charcoal. Due to the effect of

greenhouses, which is a significant factor in worldwide warming and altering the climate,

gasses like these retain heat in the upper atmosphere of the planet (Ngoc, 2023).

Resources derived from nature abound in the Philippines, where they are often

processed to create biomass energy sources like charcoal. Although the Philippines relies

heavily on its resources for energy, the process of producing charcoal is also seen as a

contributing factor to logging and adverse environmental effects (Manilhig & Loretero,

2023).

Bio-charcoal is a type of charcoal produced by pyrolyzing plant and animal wastes

(which can include wood pieces, fallen leaves, and husks). Its burning breaks down

naturally occurring substances quickly, and when the materials burn, little to no polluting

gasses are released. The organic material is transformed into bio-charcoal, a stable form
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of gaseous carbon that is difficult for the surrounding environment to absorb, during the

process called pyrolysis. Clean energy can be produced by capturing the heat or energy

produced during pyrolysis. Compared to other types of charcoal, biochar is cleaner and

far more successful at changing the material into something that remains stable.

Agricultural waste materials, such as sawdust and cow manure, are a result of

numerous agricultural activities as well as waste from livestock in Lopez Quezon. These

waste materials are often placed in fields where they decompose or burn in open flames,

posing threats to the environment and human well-being.

Cow manure is a popular source of energy since it is readily available and free of

cost, especially for households with limited resources. When combined with a typical

biomass made of wood, such as sawdust, cow manure can be utilized as an additional

fuel. It is thought to be an excellent fuel resource for both business and home use when

sawdust is used to make charcoal. Because it emits no unpleasant smell and is

smokeless, it is a popular charcoal for barbecues. Thus, the viability of cow manure and

sawdust as bio-charcoal. It aims to solve the problem of waste materials like sawdust and

cow manure and then use these as readily available materials for biochar. The study will

comparative research between bio-charcoal briquettes and commercialized charcoal

briquettes.
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Theoretical Framework

To further support the study, the researchers used the Circular Economy Model by Ellen

McArthur. It is founded on three design-driven principles: eliminate waste and pollution,

keep products and materials, and regenerate the natural system.

Figure 1. Ellen McArthur Circular Economy Model

In Figure 1, the concepts of the Circular Economy Model determine the three categories

of eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials, and regenerating the

natural system of the right circulation in the economy, a notable contribution of McArthur,

E. (2015). In a circular economy, resources never go unused, and the environment is

replenished. A circular economy uses procedures like upkeep, reuse, refurbishing,

remanufacturing, reusing, and composting to keep resources and products in flow. By

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severing the link between economic activity and the use of scarce supplies, the circular

economy addresses issues such as contamination, trash, and declining biodiversity, in

addition to addressing global warming. Eliminating pollution and unnecessary waste is

the circular economy's primary concept. The economy of the nation currently operates on

a take-make-waste basis. We extract the basic resources on the planet, use them to

create goods, and then discard them as biological waste. Most of this garbage is lost

when it is dumped in dumpsters or burned. Considering the limited resources of our

environment, this arrangement cannot be sustained over time. Reuse materials and

products to the greatest level possible. This entails preserving materials for use as

products or, if they cannot be employed anymore, as foundations or pieces. In this

manner, products and supplies maintain their original worth, and nothing goes to waste.

We change our priority from harvesting to regeneration by converting the economic

system from linear to circular. Rather than letting nature continue to decline, we invest in

the wealth of nature. We can start creating natural systems if we switch to a regenerative

approach. In the natural world, there could be no waste. A falling leaf provides nutrients

for the forest. Natural systems have continuously self-regenerated for countless years.

Waste is a creation of humans. This is a great way for us to think in innovative ways

through research. In implementing the method needed to make cow manure and sawdust

bio-charcoal in this study, applying a circular economy from waste materials and natural

products in use to regenerate the natural system can help to convert waste into useful

ones while keeping our natural resources.

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Conceptual Framework

Table 1

The Conceptual Framework Showing the Independent and Dependent Variables

Independent Variable Dependent Variables

● Cow manure ● Flammability performance of cow

● Sawdust manure and sawdust

● Smoke and smell emitted by cow

manure and sawdust

The table given above shows the concept of this research entitled "Green Innovation:

Harnessing the Potential of Cow Manure and Sawdust as Bio-Charcoal". The

independent variables used in this study are the cow manure and sawdust that will be

used as Bio- charcoal. The dependent variables are the flammability performance of cow

manure and sawdust, and smoke and smell emitted by cow manure and sawdust as bio-

charcoal.
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Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the potential of Cow manure and Sawdust as Bio-

charcoal. Specifically, the study sought to find the answers to the following questions:

1. What components are present in cow manure and sawdust, which makes it a

potential bio-charcoal?

2. What are the characteristics of cow manure and sawdust bio-charcoal briquettes in

terms of:

a. Smell

b. Flammability

c. Flame size

3. Is there a significant difference in the cow manure and sawdust bio-charcoal

briquettes characteristics as compared to commercial briquettes?

4. In comparison to commercial charcoal, what is the cost of production of cow manure

and sawdust bio-charcoal briquettes?

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Hypothesis

a. There are no significant differences in the flammability performance of Bio-charcoal

briquettes commercialized charcoal briquettes.

b. There are no significant differences in the smoke and smell emitted by Bio-charcoal

briquettes commercialized charcoal briquettes.

Significance of the study

Environment. This study will help the environment by reducing the waste materials of

sawdust and helping to decrease deforestation just to make charcoal and it will also

help to reduce the environmental population.

Community. Through this study, the people of the community will know the importance

of cow manure and sawdust and help them to afford eco-friendly charcoal by not

spending a large amount of money.

Entrepreneur. This study will help to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to earn

and save money by using cow manure and sawdust charcoal without spending money.

Households. This study will give information to the households that there is a cheaper

way to have charcoal for daily use and not spend a lot of money just to buy commercial
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charcoal briquette or Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Farmers. This study will help farmers gain knowledge and the idea that there is an

easier way to make charcoal.

Future Researchers. This study will provide a foundation and serve as a guide for

future researchers who will study the same or related variables through the identification

of areas that require more knowledge and information.

Researcher. This study will help the researchers to find out the capability and

effectiveness of cow manure and sawdust as charcoal.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The research included the process of preparing and testing the potential of bio-

charcoal with the preparations included, gathering cow manure and sawdust. This study

was limited to harnessing the potential of cow manure and sawdust as bio-charcoal.

The experiment will be conducted at Barangay Talolong, Lopez, Quezon from March

2024 to July 2024.

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Definition of Terms

The following terminologies were defined in the context of this research for a better

understanding of this study.

Bio-charcoal – a charcoal made from waste materials like manure and sawdust.

Carbon Dioxide – a mass of carbon dioxide in a solid state. Burning of charcoal in an

open environment, complete combustion will result in the production of carbon dioxide

and ash due to impurities mixed in it.

Commercial Charcoal Briquette – common charcoal that has been used by every

household in their daily cooking and additional income as their business.

Cow Manure - a waste material from cows and a major material in making Bio-

Charcoal.

Methane - is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is much lighter than the air.

Pyrolysis - It is the procedure of exposing a substance that is organic to an excessive

temperature in a lack of oxygen.

Sawdust - powdery particles produced by sawing and a major material in making Bio-

Charcoal.
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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED AND STUDIES

Bio-charcoal

Briquettes made of biochar are one type of fuel derived from biomass. Among the various

forms of energy that is sustainable is biomass. Charcoal bars known as "bio briquettes"

are created by molding organic waste under specific tension. Bio briquettes might take

over the role of firewood, whose use is starting to rise. Furthermore, the public can afford

the comparatively low cost of bio briquettes. Charcoal produced from a variety of

biological or biomass resources, such as lumber, branches, leaves, hay greens or other

crop residue, is known as bio briquettes (Sunardi et al.,2021).

Components of Cow Manure and Sawdust

The waste of the herbivorous cow animal species, which includes both feces and pee, is

called cow manure. Its diet provides the majority of the lignocellulosic compounds and a

plethora of minerals, particularly significant levels of iron, calcium, magnesium,

manganese, copper, cobalt, and sulfur, that make up its excreta (Gupta et al., 2016)

Higher concentrations of minerals may be found, including magnesium, nitrogen,

potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and zinc (Font-Palma, 2019).

The result is a substance that ignites mostly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide

(CO2) (Surendra et al., 2014). Nitrogen-containing compounds,volatile fatty acids (VFA),

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ammonia (NH3), Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), siloxane, water, and various particle matter are

additional components (Sun et al., 2014) .

Sawdust and other lignocellulosic biomass can be utilized as a sustainable starting

point to produce a range of adsorption media (Adegoke, 2022). As a result, lignin,

hemicellulose, and cellulose are the primary chemical components of sawdust (Kazmi et

al., 2019).

In a high-pressure gasifier with a restricted air supply, sawdust is burned to create

producer gas, which mostly consists of hydrogen and carbon dioxide oxide. Because of

its extremely low thermal conductivity, it is employed as an insulator to lessen heat losses

via conductors. Nonetheless, this material may create briquettes with densities exceeding

100 kg/m^3 (Rominiyi et al., 2017).

The quantity of micronutrients (such as zinc) macronutrients (such as phosphorus)

in the biochar might fluctuate depending on what is the source of the feedstock being

used (Bruun et al., 2014). It usually possesses an alkaline pH, however depending on the

condition of the underlying substance and the point of production temperatures, it could

vary from 4.6 to 9.3 (Chaturvedi, 2023).

Smell, Flammability, Flamesize characteristics of Bio-Charcoal

Bio-charcoal briquettes are incredibly environmentally friendly briquettes that generate a

High rate of burning, smokeless fire (Ajibade & Lasisi, 2017). Although gradually
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pyrolyzed biochar has no benefit in the expansion of the front flame throughout the

burning process, flammability is still a crucial factor to take into account when utilizing

biochar as a building material (Zhao et al., 2014).

A combination of wood dust and cow dung can be used to make briquettes that produce

a lot of heat vitality. It is highly effective to burn these kinds of briquettes to generate

heat (Atthaillah, 2024).

Bio-Charcoal briquettes burn more readily the more volatile they contain (Suryaningsih

et al., 2017). According to Idris et al. (2018), a high volatile substance level can reduce

the fixed carbon percentage of briquettes, alter their calorific value, and increase the

total quantity of smoke that is created after burning.

Characteristics of Bio-Charcoal vs Commercial Charcoal Briquette

Biochar traps ambient CO2 in the soil and lessens the release of greenhouse

gases and the negative impacts of agricultural chemicals (Adekiya et al., 2019).

Produced from waste from biomass facilities, such as hardwood or crop residue,

paper-making waste, or various biological leftovers, biochar is a substance that

resembles charcoal (Murray, 2021).

Biochar can be produced from a variety of recyclable materials, such as waste

from agriculture, household waste, kitchen garbage, industrial use sludge, livestock
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waste, and solid waste from municipalities. It is a stable type that contains carbon which

spans further over biomass (Gale et al., 2021).

Continuously (100–1000 years) carbon strength, decreased nitrous oxide emission

levels with soil, stabilizing and development of organic matter from the soil, and prevented

fossil fuel pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases that might have occurred from

the breakdown of biomass are some of the environmental advantages associated with

biochar (Weng et al., 2022). Additionally, it has been demonstrated that biochar affects

the physical and chemical features of soil, including pH levels, porosity within its density

of bulk material, and capacity for holding water (Cely et al., 2015).

The charcoal briquette manufactured from cow dung can help diversify energy

sources, which is a vital first step in reducing dependency on fossil fuels (Atthaillah, 2024).

A number of characteristics, such as a wide surface area, a variety of usage sections,

and high porosity, define biochar (Godlewska et al., 2017).

The primary method of creating biochar at different conditions, between 200 and

1000 °C, with a restricted availability of oxygen is called pyrolysis (Khan et al., 2015). By

generating usable electricity employing cow manure as a starting point, animal waste can

be less of an issue. The briquettes that are formed can function as an alternative source

of energy simply because the raw ingredients may replenish spontaneously (Agustiar et

al., 2023).
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Cost Production of Bio-Charcoal

It's an inexpensive and sustainable choice (Khitab et al., 2021).A sustainable and

reasonably priced way to fight the effects of climate change is with biochar (Masson-

Delmotte et al.,, 2021).

Wood dust and cow dung combined to make charcoal briquettes is an excellent substitute

fuel in micro-scale enterprises, small-scale industries, and domestic use (Kidmo et al.,

2021).

Bio-briquettes are more sustainable and energy-efficient for heating energy due to

its affordability, accessibility, and versatility for meeting people’s needs. It offers a

low cost for cooking, heating homes, and powering industrial activities that are more

beneficial than other products (Sanchez et al., 2022).

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Synthesis

Cow manure, a waste from herbivorous cows, contains lignocellulosic compounds and

minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, cobalt, and sulfur. It

ignites methane and carbon dioxide, and can be used as a sustainable starting point for

adsorption media. Sawdust, primarily composed of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, is

burned in a high-pressure gasifier to create producer gas, which is used as an insulator

to reduce heat losses. The biochar's micronutrient and macronutrient content may vary

depending on the feedstock source and production temperature. Bio-charcoal briquettes

are environmentally friendly, producing high-burning, smokeless fires. Although pyrolyzed

biochar doesn't expand the front flame, flammability is crucial. Wood dust and cow dung

can be combined to create heat-efficient briquettes, making them effective for burning.

Biochar, produced from waste from biomass facilities, traps ambient CO2 in soil, reducing

greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural chemical impacts. It is stable and contains

carbon, affecting soil properties like pH, porosity, and water holding capacity. Biochar also

helps diversify energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It can be produced

from various recyclable materials, such as agricultural waste, household waste, kitchen

garbage, industrial sludge, livestock waste, and solid waste. The briquettes can function

as an alternative energy source due to spontaneous replenishment of raw ingredients.

Biochar, a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional fuels, is a cost-effective

solution for combating climate change in micro-scale industries and domestic use.
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Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study will work with an experimental design and treatments. Experimental

research design is a method of doing studies in an objective and controlled manner such

that accuracy is maximised and particular conclusions may be drawn about a hypothesis.

This research strategy is suited for this topic since it includes experimental and

quantitative data collection for the purpose of statistical analysis.

The type of experimental design to be used is complete randomized design (CRD)

to determine the potential of cow manure and sawdust. There will be five (5) treatments

and three (3) trials of bio-charcoal efficacy.

Treatment for Bio-charcoal

Treatment 1 - Cow manure 100%

Treatment 2 - Cow Manure 75% and Sawdust 25%

Treatment 3 - Cow Manure 50% and Sawdust 50%

Treatment 4 - Sawdust 75% and Cow Manure 25%

Treatment 5 - Sawdust 100%

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Table 2

Layout for Experiment

TREATMENT 3 TREATMENT 4
TREATMENT 1

Cow Manure 50% and Sawdust 75% and Cow

Cow Manure
Sawdust 50% Manure 25%

TREATMENT 4 TREATMENT 2
TREATMENT 5

Sawdust 75% and Cow Cow Manure 75% and

Sawdust
Manure 25% Sawdust 25%

TREATMENT 2
TREATMENT 5 TREATMENT 1

Cow Manure 75% and

Sawdust Cow Manure
Sawdust 25%

TREATMENT 2 TREATMENT 4 TREATMENT 3

Cow Manure 75% and Sawdust 75% and Cow Cow Manure 50% and
Sawdust 25% Manure 25% Sawdust 50%

TREATMENT 3
TREATMENT 5 TREATMENT 1

Cow Manure 50% and

Sawdust Cow Manure
Sawdust 50%
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Locale of the Study

This research will be conducted in Barangay Talolong, Lopez, Quezon. This site

was chosen specifically because it is suitable for learning about the possibilities of using

cow manure and sawdust as bio-charcoal. The researchers chose the location for the

study because it provides adequate area for the experiment, is close to the necessary

supplies, and is convenient for them.

Procedural Design

Collection of Cow manure and Sawdust

Drying the Cow manure and Sawdust

Pulverizing the Cow manure and Sawdust

Preparing of different treatment

Treatment Treatment
1 Treatment Treatment 5
2 Treatment 4
Cow 3 Sawdust
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Gathering of materials

The Cow manure will be collected From Barangay Mabanban, Lopez Quezon and the

Sawdust will collected from Barangay Bacungan, Lopez Quezon.

Materials Preparation for Bio Charcoal

The cow manure and sawdust will be collected and prepared for making bio-

charcoal. The cow manure and sawdust will be dried under the sun within a day and will

be pulverized. For the precision and accuracy ratio of the materials, the needed

materials for making bio-charcoal will be measured using a weighing scale.

Preparation for different treatments for Bio-charcoal

The preparation of the mixture for bio-charcoal:

1) Different amounts and present of the material mixtures for bio-charcoal.

2) The binders of mixtures are water.

3) The mixtures will be molded by the prepared molder.

4) The molded bio-charcoal will be put in a piece of wood.

5) Will be dried until

6) Drying the mixture within 2 days.

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Data Gathered

● The components present in cow manure and sawdust will be determined and

analyzed in the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office, CALABARZON

Research Division Networking Management Section, Lipa Agricultural Research

and Experiment Station.

● The amount of smoke, flammability, and size will be determined and analyzed in

the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office, CALABARZON Research

Division Networking Management Section, Lipa Agricultural Research and

Experiment Station.

● The performance of Bio-charcoal will be analyzed and determined.

● The comparative analysis of commercial charcoal and bio-charcoal briquettes in

terms of cost of production will also be conducted.

Statistical Analysis

The collected data will be analyzed and interpreted using T-test to determine the

significant performance of cow manure and sawdust as bio-charcoal.

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https://www.ftmmachinery.com/blog/composition-and-processing-of-charcoal-

briquette.html