CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter presents the introduction of the research study and its problem. It includes
the dependent and independent variable that are used in the study as well as its significance and
limitation.

Introduction

Everything in essence is about energy (Dias et al., 2004). Since the beginning of

civilization, biomass has been a major source of energy throughout the world. As such, the search

for energy alternatives involving locally available and renewable resources is one of the main

concerns of governments, scientists and business people worldwide. Biomass has the potential

to become the world’s largest and most sustainable energy source and it seems to be large

enough to meet the global energy demand in the year 2050 (ladanai et al. 2011).

Traditional biofuels are used widely as a new green energy fuel, which is mainly used as

substitute for fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) that it is now hard to collect, transport, use and

store. Conveniently, ECO-Pellets play a vital role in meeting global energy demand. ECO-Pellet

is an efficient solution to all these problems that uses agricultural and forestry wastes such as rice

hull, wood shavings, sawdust, waste paper, wood sticks and grass (Renewable Energy World,

1999).

Furthermore, ECO-Pellets can take full advantage to avoid open burning or throw away

as rubbish; it can only release the amount of carbon that they absorbed in their growth. As long

as the pellet is grown sustainably, it is certainly a renewable energy source. That after which it is

combusted, it only leaves some amount of ash, which contains carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen,

which is definitely a 100% environmental friendly energy source.

The researcher wants to find a solution on how to get a source of fuel from a certain

material that is efficient and less cheap. Agro-waste is the most promising energy resource for

developing countries like ours. Therefore, the idea to formulate ECO-Pellets as a Renewable
Energy in Utilizing Agro-Forestry Residues that aims to dispose waste in a very efficient manner

have conceived.

Conceptual Framework

The study focuses in determining the effectiveness of Agro-Forestry Residues specifically

Rice hull, Sawdust and Dried leaves as a Renewable Energy. The relationship of the variables

are reflected in the following research paradigm.

Independent Variable
TREATMENTS

Rice hull, Sawdust and Dried Dependent Variable

leaves

a. 50% Rice hull

Renewable Energy
20 % Sawdust
30 % Dried leaves
b. 20% Rice hull Control Variable
30 % Sawdust
Commercialized fuel
50 % Dried leaves
c. 30% Rice hull
50 % Sawdust
20 % Dried leaves

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of ECO-Pellets

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the effectiveness of ECO-Pellets utilizing Ago-Forestry residues

as a Renewable Energy.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following sub-problem:

1. Is it possible to formulate ECO-Pellets out of Agro-Forestry Residues?

2. Which formulation among the treatments is feasible as Renewable Energy in

terms of:

a. Texture?
 b. Lifespan?

c. Combustibility?

3. Is there a significant difference between the three treatments in terms of texture,

lifespan and combustibility?

Hypotheses

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of ECO-Pellets utilizing Ago-Forestry

residues as a Renewable Energy. The researcher was guided by the following hypotheses.

Ho: It is not possible to formulate ECO-Pellets out of Agro-Forestry Residues.

Ha: It is possible to formulate ECO-Pellets out of Agro-Forestry Residues.

Ho: There is no significant difference between the three treatments in terms of texture,
lifespan and combustibility.

Ha: There is a significant difference between the three treatments in terms of texture,
lifespan and combustibility.

Scope and Delimitation

This study deals about the difference among the different treatments. A thorough study

will be to determine if the Rice hull, Sawdust and Dried leaves are possible to be a Renewable

Energy. It will be test to compare the texture, lifespan and combustibility between the ECO-Pellets

and the commercial fuel that will be rated by the respondents. Also, it will be compared to see

their differences. This research study will focus only on the main idea of utilizing Agro-Forestry

Residues specifically Rice hull, Sawdust and Dried leaves. The materials are to be gathered at

Solsona National High School and nearby community.

 This research study will be conducted from June 2019 up to the first week of August 2019.

The finalization will be done at Solsona National High School.

General Objective

To develop

To attain efficiency on fuel saving and to find an alternative substitute for as typical

biomass fuel in cheaper, affordable and easy way.

To obtain an efficacious way of eliminating inorganic waste And to achieve an eco-

friendly, renewable and completely safe organic plastics as a means to discover an

alternative substitute for typical plastics in an environment friendly manner.

Specific Objective

To determine the effectiveness of Rice Hull, Sawdust and Dried leaves to produce

a biomass fuel in the product of ECO-Pellets.

Significance of the Study

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Eco-Pellets utilizing Agro-Forestry

Residues in order to provide affordable and research-based alternative to common fossil fuels.

The results of this study will benefit the following:

To Department of Agriculture. The result of this study will motivate the Department of

Agriculture (DA) to utilize the Agro-Forestry residues.

To Environment. It is carbon neutral because it can only release the amount of carbon

that they absorbed in their growth. Hence, this study is environment-friendly thus reducing the

problems on agricultural and forestry wastes.

 To Industry/Economy. It’s cheap and easy production can increase the country’s source

of income as the prices of fossil fuels are increasing.

To the School and Community. It can be an income-generating project and a source of

income for every household.

To Students: it will give them knowledge to be a responsible member of the community

by realizing the importance of conserving and preserving the natural resources.

To Future Researchers. The result of this study could benefit the future researchers for

they can gain some new ideas or they can form out of something from the study.

Definition of Terms

The following terms given are defined conceptually and operationally for better

understanding:

Rice Hull. This refers to the outermost layer of protection encasing a rice grain. It is a

yellowish color and has a convex shape. It is slightly larger than a grain of rice, thus lengths up to

7mm are possible (Rice hull, 2016).

In this study, rice hull is carbonized and use as the material use in making the ECO-Pellets.

Leaves. This refers to a flat and typically green parts of a plant that grow from a stem or

twig and a sheet of paper from a book (Merriam Webster, 1828).

In this study, leaves are use as the material use in making the ECO-Pellets.

Dried. This refers to having no or very little eater or liquid or no longer wet. Having no rain

or little rain (Merriam Webster, 1828).

In this study, the leaves we collect are already dried.

 Sawdust. This refers to the dust and small pieces of wood that are produced when you

cut wood with a saw (Cambridge English Dictionary).

In this study, sawdusts are use as the material use in making the ECO-Pellets.

Combustibility. This refers to the ability of treatment to produce fire.

In this study, combustibility uses to test the efficiency of the ECO-Pellets.

Lifespan. This refers to the longevity of treatments in terms of minutes.

In this study, combustibility uses to test the efficiency of the ECO-Pellets.

Biomass. This refers to the energy that is organic matter, especially plant matter that can

be converted to fuel and is therefore regarded as a potential energy source (Dictionary, 2016).

In this study, the ECO-Pellets produced is made of Biomass materials.

Pellets. This refers to a small, hard, ball-shaped or tube-shaped piece that is compressed

mass of a substance (Cambridge English Dictionary).

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