The use of biomass wastes to fabricate charcoal substitutes in Kenya - A Feasiblity Study| By | Chardust Ltd., implemented by Chardust and Spectrum Technical Services. Funded by the Shell Foundation | | Download (click on the image) |  | | Description | From the Executive Summary
This study was designed by Chardust Ltd. and implemented jointly by Chardust and Spectrum Technical Services, a Nairobi-consulting firm.
The aim was to determine the viability of producing briquetted charcoal fuel from biomass wastes in Kenya. The study was funded by the Shell Foundation and conducted over a two month period in late 2003.
The viability of producing fuel commercially from biomass wastes was assessed from four perspectives:
(a) Availability: Existence and accessibility of biomass in bulk, preferably with no competing uses. The study began with a list of 28 potential wastes, which was narrowed down to 20 and then to just ten, according to a ranking system based upon basic availability and accessibility.
(b) Conversion Potential: Physical suitability for drying, carbonisation and briquetting. Samples of the ten short-listed wastes were sourced and delivered to Chardust in Nairobi, where production trials were carried out. Based on these trials, a ranking system was devised for comparing the wastes in terms of their suitability for fuel production.
(c) Fuel Quality: Energy value and general performance of fabricated fuel. The third part of the study comprised fuel quality testing, during which the strength, heat output, ash content and other performance characteristics of the various fuels were determined. A further ranking system was drawn up based on the results of these tests.
(d) Enterprise Potential: Willingness and capacity of the waste owner or producer to collaborate in a briquetting venture. This final component looked at the capacity and interest of the various waste 'owners' in collaborating in commercial briquetting enterprise.
From these combined perspectives, it was concluded that there are five biomass wastes available in Kenya with real potential for commercial fuel production. These are macadamia nut shell, sawdust, wattle bark, coffee husk and bagasse. Research is continuing on other materials.
Reference
The use of biomass wastes to fabricate charcoal substitutes in Kenya - a feasibility study forming part of the Shell Foundation-supported project on charcoal briquetting in Kenya, March 2004, Chardust Ltd. and Spectrum Technical Services, Nairobi, Kenya | | File size | 1900 kB | | Date | 17-05-2004 at 14h40 | |
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