Utilization of Dehydrated Durian (Durios zibethinus) Peel as Alternative Solid fue

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Being part in the Davao Region made us so fortunate to be known as the Durian Capital of the Philippines. But with the increasing production every year, arises the concern of Durian peel waste in the environment. Durian waste, though being biodegradable, will take long before it finally decomposes. If this problem will continue, lack of proper waste disposal will occur and will eventually cause pollution. For that, the researchers aim to utilize the durian peel as an alternative solid fuel, which is also the key to the demand for an environment friendly fuel.

METHODS

An experimental research design was used. Durian peel was sun dried until it loses all its moisture. Then it was chopped to sizes similar to charcoal. A 25g dehydrated durian peel and 25g of charcoal was used to boil a 250mL of water. The dehydrated durian peel and charcoal was ignited simultaneously. A charcoal grill blower was used to produce constant air in igniting the solid fuel. The timer started as long as the solid fuels ignited and it was stopped as the water boils. The test was repeated nine (9) times.

RESULTS

On the nine trials of boiling 250 mL of water using a 25g of dehydrated durian peel and 25g of charcoal, results showed (in minutes) that T1 is 5.28 and 6.03, T2 is 5.49 and 5.40, T3 is 6.12 and 6.36, T4 is 6.01 and 6.39, T5 is 5.17 and 6.20, T6 is 4.49 and 5.12, T7 is 6.10 and 59, T8 is 5.37 and 6.01 and T9 is 6.22 and 6.40 for durian and charcoal respectively. The total mean rank of dehydrated durian is (Mdn= 7.78) and charcoal is (Mdn= 11.28). Also, the results showed that Mann-Whitney value is 240 (M=240, p>.158) and p-value is 0. 158.

DISCUSSIONS

Results showed that mean rank of durian peel is less than of commercial charcoal. This implies that dehydrated durian peel boiled the 250mL of water faster than charcoal in the nine trials based on their mean ranks. Moreover, it showed that there is no significant difference in the ignition period of the solid fuel between dehydrated durian peel and the charcoal. With this, durian peel can be utilized into something beneficial such asan alternative solid fuel. Furthermore, the solid fuel from dehydrated durian peel is comparable to the commercial charcoal based on the results of the study and durian peel waste could be lessened in the Region because of its discovered benefits as solid fuel.