“MAHOGANY (Swietenia macrophylla) LEAVES AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE
OF CHARCOAL”

Objective: to make an alternative charcoal.
Statement of the Problem: 1. What ratio of mahogany leaves and other materials will be used in making charcoal?

2. Which trial will the best charcoal are produced in terms of its performance?

3. Is there a significant difference between the charcoal made from mahogany leaves and commercial charcoal in terms of performance?

4. What are the environmental implications of the charcoal produced from mahogany leaves?

Hypothesis:

There is no significant difference between the charcoal produced from mahogany leaves and the commercial charcoal in terms of performance.

Background of the study: One small field of mahogany leaves can make an alternative charcoal. These materials can, however, be used to produce fuel for heating and cooking. The discarded plant material is naturally rich in carbon, which like wood chunks can be used in to make homemade charcoal. Making your own charcoal can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, make heating and cooking cheaper and reduce the waste in landfills. Charcoal will go further if it is used efficiently and if its quality is optimum for the particular end use. Charcoal quality can be specified and measured in various ways which are usually derived from the various end use requirements. Efficiency in use normally means transferring the maximum amount of the heat content of the charcoal to the object to be heated, be it water for cooking, the air of a room, or the charge in a blast furnace. Efficiency depends on the use of properly designed charcoal burning equipment. Charcoal can be an excellent domestic fuel. User convenience, weight reduction for transportation and high energy content are important advantages of using charcoal. Except in some countries, industrial application of charcoal in Asia is limited. But a large number of traditional rural industries and commercial establishments use it as energy source. Wood is the main source in making charcoal. The least demanding market for charcoal, quality-wise, is the domestic one. The reasons are that performance cannot be measured easily, the power of consumers as individuals to specify and obtain good quality charcoal is minimal and there is a certain trade-off possible between price and quality which the household consumer uses to obtain satisfactory results. However, this does not mean that quality control is not worthwhile. Provided it does not become unwieldy and bureaucratically counterproductive, a system of quality guide lines for household charcoal is a worthwhile step in ensuring maximum yield from the wood resource, nevertheless giving adequate household performance. On the other hand, large users such as the charcoal iron industry know from their operating experience and research, the properties they seek in charcoal and have the means in the form of concentrated buying power and control over at least a part of their own charcoal production, to ensure that the charcoal they use conforms to their specification and produces pig iron at minimum overall cost. But in my case I will make a charcoal made of the leaves of mahogany. Mahogany is a kind of wood—the straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus sweitania, part of the chinaberry family, Meliaceae. Mahogany has a straight, fine and even grain, and is relatively free of voids and pockets. Its reddish-brown color darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished. It has excellent workability, and is very durable. Historically, the tree's girth allowed for wide boards from traditional mahogany species. These properties make it a favorable wood for crafting cabinets and furniture. The leaf is compound, even-pinnate and alternately arranged. Some leaves appear to be odd-pinnate
(Brown’s personal observations). Leaves are typically 6 to 9 inches in length. They usually contain 4 or 5 pairs of opposite (or nearly so) shiny asymmetric ovate to lance-shaped leaflets. The leaflets are entire with a reddish-brown midrib and are approximately 2.5 inches long and up to 0.5 inches wide. The blade of many leaflets curve backwards towards the base of the petiole. New leaves are reddish or light green and turn dark green over several weeks.

Methodology Materials:
Dried Mahogany leaves
Binder
Water
Bowl
Spoon
Stove
A piece of cloth
Casserole
Stirring rod
Pan

Procedures

A.
Preparation of Materials.
In this study, the researcher gathered all the materials needed such as dried mahogany leaves, binder, water, casserole, pan, bowl, spoon, stirring rod, a piece of cloth, rock and stove. In pulverizing the mahogany leaves, the researchers used mortar and pestle or a piece of cloth and rock to make the mahogany leaves cook faster and easier. After pulverizing the mahogany leaves, the researchers fried the mahogany leaves until its color turns black. In boiling of binder, the researchers mixed the binder and tap water and then put the mixed binder and tap water in the casserole until it boils.

B.
Mahogany Charcoal Making
.
In making mahogany charcoal, the researchers mixed the boiled binder and the pulverized mahogany leaves and stirred it with the stirring rod. In molding the charcoal, the researchers mold the mixed binder and pulverized mahogany leaves. Finally, the researchers dried the molded charcoal under the sun until it becomes hard and dry.

C.
Testing for Performance
. In order to come up with the best quality of charcoal, the researchers conducted three set ups to test the performance of the charcoal. In testing the performance, the researchers prepared one egg in each set ups. In each set ups, the researchers put the mahogany charcoal in the stove and cooked sunny side up egg.