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Abstract
The global energy crisis necessitates the development of sustainable alternative fuels, one of which is biomass-based biopelets. Rice husks, an abundant agricultural waste, have significant potential for conversion into biopelets; however, their high moisture content can hinder combustion efficiency and storage. This study aims to evaluate the effects of torrefaction at 300°C and the addition of natural zeolite as an adsorbent on the quality of the resulting biopelets. The experimental method involves variations in rice husk particle size (60 mesh and 80 mesh) and zeolite concentrations of 0 g, 2.5 g, 5 g, and 7.5 g. The key parameters analyzed include moisture content and calorific value, measured using the gravimetric method and bomb calorimeter, respectively. The results show that torrefaction effectively reduces biopelet moisture content, with samples containing higher zeolite levels exhibiting lower moisture content. Meanwhile, calorific value decreases as zeolite concentration increases, likely due to changes in porosity and energy density. These findings highlight the need to balance moisture content and calorific value in biopelet formulation to optimize combustion performance and storage, offering promising potential for the development of renewable fuel from agricultural waste.