INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Fuel is basic need in our daily life. It is used in household like cooking our

food that we eat every day. According to Cambridge, briquettes is a compressed

blocks of biomass materials. Now, in our community we use a lot of different

fuels like commercial charcoal since it is the most affordable on which in return

gives off harmful soot and smoke such as CO2. This motivated the researcher to

find a source of materials which could be a good substitute to commercial

charcoal which is more efficient and eco-friendly.

Rice hull is the outermost layer of the paddy grain that is separated from

the rice grains during the milling process. Around 20% of paddy weight is husk

and rice production in Asia produces about 770 million tons of husks annually.

According to Martin Gummert, rice husk was largely considered a waste product

that was often burned or dumped on landfills (IRRI, n. d.). Farmers all around the

world grows rice on which humans consume rapidly, in return, there are tons of

rice hull in each year. Therefore, rice husks, have been lying waste in rice mills in

rice producing regions around the world. (Gcmachines, 2014).

A leaf is a flat, thin plant organ that uses sun to make its own food. Leaves

are green and use the chemical called chlorophyll to trap energy from the sun.

This process is known as photosynthesis. Leaves are prominent in the human

diet as leaf vegetables like lettuce (Sciencewithme, 2016).

According to Biomassmagazine (2016), fuel briquettes generated by the

lowpressure compaction of paper, sawdust, agricultural or yard waste, etc.

currently serve as an alternative to firewood, wood pellets and charcoal in

developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America. The materials for bio

briquettes including paper, leaves, pine needles, sawdust and shop waste were
ground into particles of 6 to 8 millimeters (mm) in diameter to increase surface

area for soaking and to enhance packing efficiency.

Rationale

This research is conducted to utilize the rice hull, dried leaves and used

paper as an alternative fuel by making it into briquettes. Rice husk and dried

leaves, which are significant agricultural byproducts, serve as a more economical

adsorbent compared to commercial options, potentially providing a new avenue

for income and employment as this represents a low-cost, high-return

opportunity for farmers and rice millers. The agricultural waste produced by rice

millers and farmers is transformed into briquettes that serve as an alternative to

charcoal made from wood, helping to prevent deforestation. Briquettes made

from rice hull, dried leaves, and used paper contribute to decreasing

environmental pollution, as they are simple to manufacture, eco-friendly, cost-

efficient, and can be regenerated and reused easily, promoting better

environmental sustainability. This practice aids rice millers and farmers in

effectively disposing of their agricultural waste while enhancing their earning

potential.

FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY

Theoretical Framework

Briquettes made from rice hull, dried leaves and used paper can be a more

sustainable and long-lasting solution than charcoal made from wood. By using

this waste product as a raw material, we may reduce our dependency on wood-

based charcoal, which frequently leads to deforestation, improper trash disposal,

and environmental degradation.

 As a result, briquettes created from rice hull, dried leaves and used papers

has the potential to be more affordable, long-lasting, and environmentally

friendly than charcoal made from wood. More research and testing are needed to

verify this theory and evaluate whether it is possible to scale up the production

and application of briquettes derived from rice husks, dried leaves and used

paper in a variety of settings.

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Data analysis 1. Produced an

including: alternative
3. Following the rice hull, dried
steps for making leaves and
an alternative rice used paper-
1. Carbonized Rice
hull, dried leaves based
Hull
and used paper- briquettes.
2. Binder
based briquettes. 2. The
(Cornstarch
4. Data collecting presentation
solution)
5. Planning of rice husk-
operations, based charcoal
experimenting, and its
and producing the usefulness for
product. users.

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

Using charcoal produced from wood has been causing damage to the

community and ecosystem since it is now used mostly by people and still
remains in use for household purposes and other things. The researcher suggests

using rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquettes for new installations since

it is simple to use, organic, and environmentally friendly, it may be used in

replacement of wood, which is now an innovative way of decreasing

environmental concerns.

The IPO framework was used to demonstrate the process of applying a rice

hull, dried leaves and used paper-based briquettes for users, as seen in Figure 1.

What goes into input is the rice hull, dried leaves and used paper which is our

independent variable, and the alternative raw material for making briquettes as

our dependent variable. What causes the change is the process, which is the

data analysis used to conduct the study and conduct the experiment, and what

comes out is the output, which highlights the outcomes and the success of the

product.

Statement of the Problem

This study is to prove that rice hull, dried leaves and used paper-based

briquettes can be an alternative for wood-based charcoal that can be used for

home cooking purposes.

As a result, it is necessary to investigate and create sustainable solutions

to encourage the production and use of briquettes made from rice hull, which

may help to lessen deforestation, combat climate change, and enhance

livelihoods.

Within this research, we are trying to answer the following questions:

1. How effective is rice hull, dried leaves and used paper as an alternative to

produce briquettes?
2. How rice hull, dried leaves and used paper contribute to a positive

environmental benefit that can have a long-lasting impact to the nature?

3. Why does rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquettes attractive for

rural environmental development?

Hypothesis

1. The usage of rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquette is very

effective in making marketable briquettes, preventing deforestation, and

providing proper waste disposal. These activities have great benefits for

those who engage in them.

H a : The use of Rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquette in Making

Marketable briquette, Prevention of Deforestation, and Proper Waste

Disposal is effective.

H o : The use of Rice hull, dried leaves and used paper in Making

Marketable briquette, Prevention of Deforestation, and Proper Waste

Disposal is not effective.

2. There are a lot of variables that influence the usage of Rice hull, dried

leaves and used paper briquettes provided to positive benefits.

H a : There are positive benefits of using Rice hull, dried leaves and used

paper briquette provide for those who use it.

H o : There are no positive benefits of using Rice hull, dried leaves and

used paper provide for those who use it.

3. The usage of Rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquettes have huge

number of different purposes for the people who use it.

H a : There are advantages of using Rice hull, dried leaves and used paper

briquette provide for those who use it.

 H o : There are no advantages of using Rice hull, dried leaves and used

paper briquette provide for those who use it.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The researchers designed this study to understand the potential of

utilizing rice hull, dried leaves and used paper for cooking as an alternative to

wood fuel. In this study, we gathered statistics through conducting surveys

among the current users of wood-based charcoal in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union.

This will determine the current problems of both entities involved and their

advantages and benefits. Considering the populations of the users of wood-

based charcoal in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union. The researchers took 10 samples

from the total population of wood-based charcoal users for home cooking

purposes in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union. Our analysis and conclusions are limited

by the information given by the results of the questionnaire forms.

Significance of the Study

The result of this study will be beneficial to the following:

Students. This study would benefit the students for they would gain some

knowledge and thoughts on which they can share to others or may give them

ideas to try other things that may have wonder them. It can refresh their minds

and they can find new things.

Teachers. This study would benefit the teachers for they may learn and

understand the things that bother them and they can share the ideas they learn

to their students who can motivate them to explore many new things.

Charcoal Users. This study would benefit the charcoal users as it produces

fewer smoke and toxins, potentially leading to improved indoor air quality.

Additionally, cooking with rice hull, dried leaves and used paper presents a cost-
effective alternative to wood-based charcoal, particularly for low-income

households.

Rice Millers. This study would benefit the rice millers as it might increase their

income and profit. Rice millers can also reduce waste disposal expenses and

increase environmental sustainability by selling or using rice husks for charcoal

production.

Farmers. This study would benefit the farmers as it might increase their income

and profit.

Future Researchers. This study could benefit the future researchers for they

can gain some new ideas or they could form something out from the study that

will motivate them to use and apply it to their own study. For them to encourage

other researchers who have difficulties in their studies and to gain new things

and tactics for their study.

Definitions of Terms

The following terms and definitions have come up from the interpretation

of the data. These are derived through basing from our study.

Biomass - is energy that is organic matter, especially plant matter that can

be converted to fuel and is therefore regarded as a potential energy source

Briquette - a small block of compressed coal dust or charcoal used for fuel,

especially in barbecuing. A molded block of any material (Dictionary, 2016).

In this study, the product made from the materials given is briquette.

Carbonized Rice Hull - refers to the rice husk that has undergone a thermal

process known as carbonization.

Charcoal - is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly

heating wood in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile

constituents.

Rice Millers - Individuals or companies engaged in the process of rice

milling, which involves removing the outer husk of rice grains to produce

polished rice. Rice millers may produce rice-husk-based charcoal as a

byproduct of the milling process.

Wood-based charcoal - A type of charcoal produced from the burning of

wood, typically obtained from trees. Wood-based charcoal has been

traditionally used for cooking and heating purposes.

 Chapter 2

Research Design

To obtain the specific data necessary for this study, a combination of

observational, interview, and experimental methods was employed. This

approach helps in identifying existing information and data regarding the

potential of using briquettes made from rice hulls, dried leaves, and used

paper as a substitute for wood-based charcoal to mitigate environmental

issues. The researchers chose to use experimental methods to assist farmers

in managing rice hull and dried leaves waste and to assess who would benefit

from the briquettes made from rice hulls, dried leaves, and used paper.

Additionally, the researchers utilized a descriptive-survey methodology to

explore the ‘who, what, and how’ of the topic being examined.

Sources of Data

The information for this analysis was obtained from primary sources,

specifically the individuals who utilize wood-based charcoal for cooking in

Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union, and a survey questionnaire was used to collect

data.

Locale of the study

This research took place in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union, where a

significant number of residents rely on wood-based charcoal for home cooking

purposes. Population Sampling The participants of the study will be the users

of wood-based charcoal for home cooking purposes in Juan Cartas, Caba, La

Union. In sum up this study has a total number of 15 respondents.

 In this study, the researchers used purposive sampling method for the

selection of respondents to focus on the specific characteristics of the

population where the researchers are interested in, which can help the

researchers to achieve more meaningful and targeted results.

Instrumentation and Data Collection

In order to collect data for this study’s investigation into the potential of

rice hull, dried leaves and used paper briquettes, the researchers will employ

a survey questionnaire and interview. The questionnaire is designed to ask

specific questions on the efficiency of the briquettes made of rice hull, dried

leaves and used paper for home cooking, such as how long the briquettes

lasts and what challenges the samples face when using the briquettes. The

interview is designed to ask in-depth questions to the respondents about the

tested product, and farmers about their situation in disposal of the

agricultural waste— rice hull and dried leaves. The potential of rice hull, dried

leaves and used paper for home cooking, benefits to the users and

environment, and any areas for improvement can then be discovered using

the data from the questionnaire.

Tools for Data Analysis

The percentage can be utilized as a statistical tool to describe the qualities

of a data set. Finally, a pie chart was used to visualize and interpret relevant

and useful information. It examines the aim based on the responses of the

interviewees, who are sample who used wood-based charcoal for home

cooking in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union.

Researches came up with the result by taking the frequency in the category

divided by the total number of participants and multiplying by 100%.

 x
FORMULA: P= ∙ 100 %
y

Where:

x= frequency

y= total number of respondents

%= 100

Ethical Consideration

The participants will not suffer any adverse effects from their involvement

in this research. The individuals taking part in the study, who use wood-based

charcoal in Juan Cartas, Caba, La Union, will provide their informed consent

prior to the commencement of the research. Additionally, the privacy of the

research participants will be safeguarded. It is important that respondents

choose to engage in the study willingly. Furthermore, participants have the

option to withdraw from the study at any point if they wish. A high degree of

confidentiality will be maintained in the handling of the data. We will ensure

that no misleading information is presented and that the results of the

primary data collection are portrayed accurately and fairly. On the other

hand, maintaining the utmost degree of objectivity in all discussions and

analyses will be acknowledged. The disclosure of all affiliations, funding

sources, and possible conflicts of interest is also included. Lastly, all

communications related to this action study will be transparent and honest.