Local Microorganism-based Biomass Biodrying in Biopellet Production: Integration of Microbiology, Process Engineering, and Fuel Quality Aspects

Yommi Dewilda, Puti Sri Komala, Rizki Aziz, Fadjar Goembira, Zulkarnaini Zulkarnaini

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass derived from organic waste has significant potential as a renewable energy source; however, its high moisture content remains a major constraint in its conversion into solid fuel. Biodrying is a biological drying method that utilizes microbial aerobic oxidation reactions to generate heat (bioheat), thereby accelerating moisture evaporation without substantial external energy input. This review article evaluates the integration of microbiological mechanisms and process engineering within the Technology for Waste Processing at Source (TWPS) system using Local Microorganisms (LMO). Based on a systematic synthesis of the literature, biodrying has been shown to reduce moisture content to below 20% (as low as 5% when specific LMO inoculants are applied) while increasing the calorific value to approximately 3,500 kcal/kg, meeting the requirements of SNI 8966:2021. The key findings indicate that carbohydrate degradation is the primary contributor to bioheat generation, whereas the use of LMOs derived from locally available waste materials offers greater economic efficiency compared with commercial inoculants. These transformations strengthen the valorization of tropical biomass and support the implementation of a sustainable circular economy framework.

Keywords

biodrying; bioheat; biomass; biopellets; calorific value; lignocellulose.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abdullah, H.T., Al-Bayati, A.M., Saleh, A.N.A., Alsalihi, K.A., and Abed, H.H., 2025. Effect of Ocimum basilicum Herbs Extract on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Ethanol-Induced Liver Damage in Rats. Wiadomości Lekarskie, 1522–1529. https://doi.org/10.36740/WLek/208443.

Adani, F., 2002. The Influence of Biomass Temperature on Biostabilization–Biodrying of Municipal Solid Waste. Bioresource Technology, 83, 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00231-0.

Alpian, A., Rivaldi, R., Supriyati, W., Luhan, G., and Surasana, I.N., 2023. Karakteristik Pelet Kayu Laban (Vitex pubescens) sebagai Bahan Bakar Alternatif Terbarukan. Jurnal Penelitian Hasil Hutan, 41, 27–34. https://doi.org/10.55981/jphh.2023.679.

Ali, F., Dawood, A., Hussain, A., Alnasir, M.H., Khan, M.A., Butt, T.M., Janjua, N.K., and Hamid, A., 2024. Empowering the Future: Biomass Applications for Green and Sustainable Energy. Discover Sustainability, 5, 156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00309-z.

Bantacut, T., Hendra, D., and Nurwigha, R., 2015. Mutu Biopelet dari Campuran Arang dan Sabut Cangkang Sawit. Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian, 25, 118–127.

Basera, P., Chakraborty, S., and Sharma, N., 2024. Lignocellulosic Biomass: Insights into Enzymatic Hydrolysis, Influential Factors, and Economic Viability. Discover Sustainability, 5, 311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00543-5.

Begum, Y.A., Kumari, S., Jain, S.K., and Garg, M.C., 2024. A Review on Waste Biomass-to-Energy: Integrated Thermochemical and Biochemical Conversion for Resource Recovery. Environmental Science: Advances, 3, 1197–1216. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00109E.

Brunner, I.M.I.M., Norhidayat, A., and M. Brunner, S., 2021. Pengolahan Sampah Organik dan Limbah Biomassa dengan Teknologi Olah Sampah di Sumbernya. Jurnal Serambi Engineering, 6. https://doi.org/10.32672/jse.v6i3.3120.

Cai, L., Cao, M.-K., Zheng, G.-D., Wang, X.-Y., Guo, H.-T., and Jiang, T., 2023. Sludge Biodrying Coupled with Photocatalysis Improves the Degradation of Extracellular Polymeric Substances. Journal of Environmental Management, 345, 118590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118590.

Cai, L., Guo, H.-T., Zheng, G.-D., Wang, X.-Y., and Wang, K., 2022. Metagenomic Analysis Reveals the Microbial Degradation Mechanism During Kitchen Waste Biodrying. Chemosphere, 307, 135862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135862.

Calvin, K., Dasgupta, D., Krinner, G., Mukherji, A., Thorne, P.W., Trisos, C., Romero, J., Aldunce, P., Barrett, K., Blanco, G., Cheung, W.W.L., Connors, S., Denton, F., Diongue-Niang, A., Dodman, D., Garschagen, M., Geden, O., Hayward, B., Jones, C., Jotzo, F., Krug, T., Lasco, R., Lee, Y.-Y., Masson-Delmotte, V., Meinshausen, M., Mintenbeck, K., Mokssit, A., Otto, F.E.L., Pathak, M., Pirani, A., Poloczanska, E., Pörtner, H.-O., Revi, A., Roberts, D.C., Roy, J., Ruane, A.C., Skea, J., Shukla, P.R., Slade, R., Slangen, A., Sokona, Y., Sörensson, A.A., Tignor, M., Van Vuuren, D., Wei, Y.-M., Winkler, H., Zhai, P., Zommers, Z., Hourcade, J.-C., Johnson, F.X., Pachauri, S., Simpson, N.P., Singh, C., Thomas, A., Totin, E., Alegría, A., Armour, K., Bednar-Friedl, B., Blok, K., Cissé, G., Dentener, F., Eriksen, S., Fischer, E., Garner, G., Guivarch, C., Haasnoot, M., Hansen, G., Hauser, M., Hawkins, E., Hermans, T., Kopp, R., Leprince-Ringuet, N., Lewis, J., Ley, D., Ludden, C., Niamir, L., Nicholls, Z., Some, S., Szopa, S., Trewin, B., Van Der Wijst, K.-I., Winter, G., Witting, M., Birt, A., and Ha, M. 2023. Ipcc, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, Ii and Iii to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (Eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Colomer-Mendoza, F.J., Robles-Martinez, F., Herrera-Prats, L., Gallardo-Izquierdo, A., and Bovea, M.D., 2012. Biodrying as a Biological Process to Diminish Moisture in Gardening and Harvest Wastes. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 14, 1013–1026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9369-1.

Dewilda, Y., Goembira, F., Andini Putri, Z., and Noerhidayat, A., 2025. Pengaruh Penambahan Sekam Padi pada Pembuatan Pelet Biomassa Eceng Gondok Menggunakan Metode TOSS. Dampak, 22, 20–30. https://doi.org/10.25077/dampak.22.2.20-30.2025.

Dewilda, Y., Goembira, F., Sukma, F.A., and Mardatillah, R., 2023. Applications of Local Microorganism (MOL) in the Processing of Waste Leaves and Twig with on Site Solid Waste Processing Technology (TOSS). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1268, 012059. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1268/1/012059.

Fantozzi, F., and Buratti, C., 2010. Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Chains: Wood Pellet from Short Rotation Coppice Using Data Measured on a Real Plant. Biomass and Bioenergy, 34, 1796–1804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.07.011.

Goembira, F., Putri, R., Dewilda, Y., Noerhidayat, A., and Mardatillah, R., 2024. Utilization of Pineapple Peels, Rice-Washed Water, and Local Microorganisms Derived from Golden Snails in Biodrying Process of Yard Waste. E3S Web of Conferences, 485, 05004. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202448505004.

Kristanto, G.A., and Hanany, I., 2017. Effect of Air-Flow on Biodrying Method of Municipal Solid Waste in Indonesia. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1903, 040003. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5011526.

Liu, T., Cui, C., He, J., and Tang, J., 2018a. Effect of Different Bulking Agents on Water Variation and Thermal Balance and Their Respective Contribution to Bio-Generated Heat During Long-Term Storage Sludge Biodrying Process. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25, 17602–17610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1906-5.

Liu, T., Cui, C., He, J., and Tang, J., 2018b. Insights Into The Succession of the Bacterial Microbiota During Biodrying of Storage Sludge Mixed with Beer Lees: Studies on Its Biodiversity, Structure, Associations, and Functionality. Science of The Total Environment, 644, 1088–1100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.298.

Liu, T., He, J., Cui, C., Tang, J., and Wang, M., 2018c. Effect of Woody and Non-Woody Bulking Agents on Biodrying of Long-Term Storage Sludge. Desalination and Water Treatment, 129, 53–61. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.22815.

Ma, J., Mu, L., Zhang, Z., Wang, Z., Shen, B., Zhang, L., and Li, A., 2020. The effects of the modification of biodegradation and the interaction of bulking agents on the combustion characteristics of biodried products derived from municipal organic wastes. Energy, 209, 118438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118438.

Qadry, M.G.A., Saputro, D.D., and Widodo, R.D., 2023. Karekteristik dan Uji Pembakaran Biopelet Campuran Cangkang Kelapa Sawit dan Serbuk Kayu sebagai Bahan Bakar Alternatif Terbarukan. Jurnal Inovasi Mesin, 5, 21–29. https://doi.org/10.15294/jim.v5i1.68759.

Tom, A.P., Haridas, A., and Pawels, R., 2016. Biodrying Process Efficiency: -Significance of Reactor Matrix Height. Procedia Technology, 25, 130–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.protcy.2016.08.240.

Trubus, R. 2012. Mikroba, Juru Masak Tanaman: Dongkrak Hasil Panen 3 Kali Lipat. Depok, PT Trubus Swadaya.

Velis, C.A., Longhurst, P.J., Drew, G.H., Smith, R., and Pollard, S.J.T., 2009. Biodrying for Mechanical–Biological Treatment of Wastes: A Review of Process Science and Engineering. Bioresource Technology, 100, 2747–2761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2008.12.026.

Wolny-Koładka, K., Malinowski, M., and Zdaniewicz, M., 2021. Energy-Related and Microbiological Evaluation of the Effects of Bulking Agents on the Brewery Hot Trub Biodrying. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 127, 398–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2021.04.001.

Wu, Z.-Y., Cai, L., Krafft, T., Gao, D., and Wang, L., 2018. Biodrying Performance and Bacterial Community Structure under Variable and Constant Aeration Regimes During Sewage Sludge Biodrying. Drying Technology, 36, 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2017.1301951.

Xin, L., Qin, Y., Lou, T., Xu, X., Wang, H., Mei, Q., and Wu, W., 2023. Rapid Start-up and Humification of Kitchen Waste Composting by an Innovative Biodrying-Enhanced Process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 452, 139459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.139459.

Xin, L., Yan, X., Xu, X., Qin, Y., Nan, Q., Wang, H., and Wu, W., 2022. Carbohydrate Degradation Contributes to the Main Bioheat Generation During Kitchen Waste Biodrying Process: A Pilot Study. Waste Management, 137, 20–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.10.021.

Xu, M., Sun, H., Yang, M., Xie, D., Sun, X., Meng, J., Wang, Q., and Wu, C., 2022. Biodrying of Biogas Residue through a Thermophilic Bacterial Agent Inoculation: Insights into Dewatering Contribution and Microbial Mechanism. Bioresource Technology, 355, 127256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127256.

Xu, M., Sun, H., Yang, M., Chen, E., Wu, C., Gao, M., Sun, X., and Wang, Q., 2023. Effect of Biodrying of Lignocellulosic Biomass on Humification and Microbial Diversity. Bioresource Technology, 384, 129336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129336.

Yang, Ji, Y., Shao, Y., Shi, J., Tang, T., and Liu, L., 2024. Thermophilic Bacterial Agent Inoculation Enhances Biodrying of Kitchen Waste: Insights into Process Properties, Organic Degradation, Bacterial Communities and Metabolic Pathways. Science of The Total Environment, 951, 175671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175671.

Yokoyama, S., & Matsumura, Y. (2008). The Asian Biomass Handbook: A Guide for Biomass Production and Utilization. The Japan Institute of Energy: Tokyo, Japan.

Yu, B., Chen, T., Wang, X., Yang, J., Zheng, G., Fu, L., Huang, X., and Wang, Y., 2023. Insights into the Effect Mechanism of Back-Mixing Inoculation on Sewage Sludge Biodrying Process: Biodrying Characteristics and Microbial Community Succession. Science of The Total Environment, 857, 159460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159460.

Yuan, J., Li, Y., Wang, G., Zhang, D., Shen, Y., Ma, R., Li, D., Li, S., and Li, G., 2019. Biodrying Performance and Combustion Characteristics Related to Bulking Agent Amendments during Kitchen Waste Biodrying. Bioresource Technology, 284, 56–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.097.

Zahro, S.F.A., and Fitrihidajati, H., 2023. Pemanfaatan Kompos Kulit Pisang Dan Sampah Daun Ranting Pada Proses Remediasi Tanah Tercemar Limbah Oli. LenteraBio: Berkala Ilmiah Biologi, 12, 82–89. https://doi.org/10.26740/lenterabio.v12n1.p82-89.

Zhao, L., Gu, W.M., He, P.J., and Shao, L.M., 2011. Biodegradation Potential of Bulking Agents Used in Sludge Bio-Drying and Their Contribution to Bio-Generated Heat. Water Research, 45, 2322–2330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.01.014.

Zhang, Z., Jin, B., Zhang, Y., Huang, Z., Li, C., Tan, M., Huang, J., Lei, T., Qi, Y., and Li, H., 2024. The Synergistic Regulation of Sewage Sludge Biodrying and Greenhouse Gas Reduction by Additives. Bioresource Technology, 394, 130180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130180.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/alchemy.22.2.115841.308-324

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.