JP\/5\/COAL<\/p>\n
Coal briquettes, an alternative fuel source<\/p>\n
Antara News Agency\/Semarang<\/p>\n
The unprecedented kerosene shortage has not only baffled Semarang
\nresidents but also led to the closure of many businesses. Banana
\nice cream seller, Samsul, found that his business was hit hard by
\nthe kerosene shortage. As kerosene has been difficult to find in
\nthe city, Samsul has been seeking firewood to replace kerosene in
\norder to keep his business afloat.<\/p>\n
A similar situation was faced by Agus, 36, a resident of
\nMeteseh. Agus closed his foodstall for three days last week due
\nto the fuel scarcity. The situation is tough for Agus, a father
\nof two children, as he makes a living through the foodstall.<\/p>\n
But, he has already found a solution. With the help of a
\nlecturer with Semarang State University, Sucipto, Agus is now
\nusing coal briquettes to replace kerosene.<\/p>\n
He said that using briquettes was more complicated, but
\nquickly added that it was much more efficient than kerosene.<\/p>\n
The price of coal briquette was Rp 1,750 a kilogram, which
\nconsists of 16 briquettes. For household use, one charcoal stove
\ncan be filled with six or eight briquettes or about half a
\nkilogram of coal. The briquettes stay alight for about four to
\nfive hours, which is the usual time a household would need to
\ncook for a day. From that figure, it can be calculated that each
\nday, a housewife would spend less than Rp 1,000 on fuel.<\/p>\n
For the price coal briquettes are more energy efficient.
\nNormally, a household uses two liters of kerosene a day and if
\nthe price of kerosene is Rp 1,000 a liter, it means that the
\nhousehold will spend Rp 2,000 a day, making it twice as expensive
\nto use kerosene for fuel compared to coal briquette.<\/p>\n
Another advantage is that coal briquette has a better quality
\nof flame compared to the kerosene. The flame from the coal
\nbriquette is blue, which indicates that the heat quality is good.
\nThe heat from the coal briquette also does not leave a carbon
\ndeposit on the kitchen utensils.<\/p>\n
Agus acknowledged, though, that getting the coal briquette to
\nburn was quite tough and required patience. A coal briquette is
\nplaced on top of an ember until the briquettes are burning well
\nand ready for use.<\/p>\n
\"But I am used to it. I have decided to use coal briquettes
\nfor my household and foodstall needs,\" said Agus.<\/p>\n
Coal briquettes were introduced to the public as a fuel source
\nin 1993. However, it has not been very popular as people
\nconsidered kerosene more practical and cheap. But, as the price
\nof kerosene continues to rise, compounded by the scarcity, the
\nuse of coal briquettes is worth considering. The coal briquette
\nhas the potential to replace kerosene, as the kerosene subsidy is
\nset to be phased out by the government by 2007.<\/p>\n
Domestic coal consumption is projected to reach 45.5 million
\ntons this year, while coal production is projected to reach 155
\nmillion tons. Most of coal output is absorbed by industries, such
\nas power plants, while households and small factories absorb a
\nmuch smaller portion.<\/p>\n
With the skyrocketing price of fuel, including kerosene, coal
\nhas provided an answer to the imminent fuel crisis.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5coal-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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