Browsing by Author "Okure, Mackay"

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    Exploring the Linkage Between Commodity Chain Profile and Performance: A Case Study of Sawn Wood in Uganda
    (The Open Forest Science Journal, 2013) Kyeyune Kambugu, Robert; Abwoli, Yabezi Banana; Okure, Mackay
    Secure supply of wood remains a challenge partly due to resource conservation efforts that have failed to focus on the sawn wood supply chain as a whole. This study investigated the influence of sawn wood commodity chain profile on its performance. Data were collected from the production and distribution chain of 35 production units selected randomly. Production batches comprising of at least fifteen logs each were used at each unit to collect data on volume recovery factor, value addition and revenue distribution between participants in the unit’s distribution chain. One-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the hypothesis that there is no difference in performance parameters between the sawn wood commodity chain channels. Results revealed a significant multivariate effect (p<0.05) for channel of operation on performance thus rejecting the null hypothesis. Univariate ANOVA showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the channels on all the three performance parameters. It was recommended that factors influencing the performance parameters be investigated and standards established for benchmarking; the three performance dimensions be integrated into a single index for assessing the overall performance; and the impact of sawn wood commodity chain performance on sawn wood supply sustainability be investigated.
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    Optimising Densification Condition of Coffee Husks Briquettes Using Response Surface Methodology
    (Second International Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology, 2011) Okello, Collins; Kasisira, Levi Lukoda; Okure, Mackay
    This study was carried out to establish the optimum conditions for converting coffee husks with molasses as binder into a densified biomass fuel. The study was conducted following the response surface methodology (RSM) using rotatable central composite experimental design (CCD). Briquette samples were made by compressing the coffee husks-molasses mixture in a piston and die assembly. The factors in the study were the quantity of binder, die pressure,moisture content, material particle size and dwell time. The density, durability and stability of the densified coffee husks were the response variables. The results of the study indicated that a combination of die pressure of 14.91MPa, moisture content of 8.00% wb, and binder content of 45.00% wb was optimum. Under the optimum settings of the variables, the briquettes produced had a particle density of 718.09 kg/m3 , durability of 80.77% and stability of 14.98%. The study shows that coffee husks can be converted into durable briquettes that can be used to provide the energy required for the development of industry in Uganda.