Calixto T. Lulo of the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) demonstrates the charcoal briquetting technology to LGU officials of Los Baños, Laguna during their recent visit. Los Baños is eyeing the technology as a livelihood option for local communities. Charcoal briquettes (below) are compacted masses of fuel made from a mixture of charcoal fines from carbonized agro-forest wastes like rice hull, sawdust, coffee bean hull and starch, and molded under pressure. They offer an alternative to the more expensive LPG, kerosene, and electricity. They are also easy to handle and ignite, slow burning, and emit more intense heat per unit volume. For more information, call 536-2586/ 536-2360/536-2377 or visit the FPRDI booth at DOST’s National Science and Technology Week at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City on July 24-28, 2015. (Text by Maybell Mariella A. Amador, DOST-FPRDI, S&T Media Service)
