A comparative performance analysis of carbonized briquettes and charcoal fuels in Kampala-urban, Uganda
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Energy for Sustainable Development
Abstract
As a result of the rising energy needs and environmental concerns, carbonized briquettes have been looked at as
a possible substitute source of energy for charcoal in most of the developing regions. However their use and
adoption in Uganda cannot be ratedamidst continued increase in charcoal demand fromthe ever growing urbanization.
This study therefore investigated burning performance and cost in affecting briquette use. A comparative
performance analysiswas carried out for locally purchased carbonized briquettes made frommatooke peels plus
other household wastes and charcoal fuel denoted as A, B, C, and D, using a nested design. Calorific value, ash
content, moisture content, burning time, and time of boil as well as cost per kilogram and per energy output,
were the parameters compared. Results showed that gross calorific values were comparable for the two fuel
types in the range of 4663–6517 kcal/kg. However, the average cost per energy output of briquettes as received
was more than twice that of charcoal. This implies that briquettes are not worth their price since their calorific
values are comparable to those of charcoal. The least expected was that shape and size of briquettes did not
have influence on burning time and time of boil, an indication of briquette adulteration. Therefore further
research needs to look at how the cost per energy output of briquettes can be reduced to be comparable to
that of charcoal without compromising the quality. This workwill contribute to monitoring policies and promote
efficient briquette production methods to reduce the cost of briquettes in order to create a competitive edge
against charcoal. But at the moment, charcoal users may not be attracted to briquettes due to their high cost
per energy output, calling for an alternative path of household waste utilization to provide sustainable energy.
Description
Keywords
Performance analysis, Carbonized briquette, Charcoal, Nested design, Household waste, Monitoring policies
Citation
Tumutegyereize, P., Mugenyi, R., Ketlogetswe, C., & Gandure, J. (2016). A comparative performance analysis of carbonized briquettes and charcoal fuels in Kampala-urban, Uganda. Energy for Sustainable Development, 31, 91-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2016.01.001