Evaluation of Agricultural Waste-Based Briquettes as an Alternative Biomass Fuel for Cooking in Uganda
Loading...
Date
2024-02-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Nature & Science Organisation
Abstract
Wood fuel has been adopted as a feasible alternative to cooking energy sources in efforts to replace fossil fuels. However, the exorbitant use of wood fuel has
raised concern as it is the major cause of forest cover loss in Uganda. Briquettes have been recommended as sources of cooking energy with potential to
substitute wood fuel. Unfortunately, sawdust, a product of deforestation, is the primary material used in making briquettes in Uganda. This instead augments
the problem of fuel-induced deforestation. Agricultural wastes could potentially be converted into briquetting materials for generation of cooking energy,
although these are less studied in Uganda. Thus, this study established the potential of agricultural wastes as alternative briquetting materials for use in
cooking. Four fuel types: charcoal from Mangifera indica, firewood of Eucalyptus grandis, carbonized and non-carbonized briquettes from agricultural
wastes, all from within Mukono District were used for the study. Laboratory based experiments were used to determine the physico-chemical characteristics
of the fuels. Data were analysed using R software, Ver. 4.2.3. Carbonised briquettes’ mean performance measures were higher than conventional fuels
(p≤0.05) and non-carbonised briquettes. The amount of energy required to attain experimental boiling point of water was higher (p≤0.05) in conventional fuels
and non-carbonised briquettes than in carbonised briquettes. Duration to boil 5 litres of water was least with the conventional fuel sources. All the fuel sources’
emissions exceeded the maximum range recommended for indoor carbon monoxide levels. However, the particulate matter emission was lower in carbonised briquettes and charcoal than the other fuel sources. Agricultural waste-based carbonised briquettes could effectively be used as an alternative cooking energy source in Uganda. The study recommends conducting cost benefit analyses on the use of agricultural waste-based briquettes as cooking energy sources.
Description
This article focuses on the Evaluation of Agricultural Waste-Based Briquettes as an Alternative Biomass Fuel for Cooking in Uganda.
Keywords
Citation
Oteu, O. J., Kizza-Nkambwe, S., Kasima, J. S., Mpewo, M. & Agunyo, M. F. (2024). Evaluation of Agricultural Waste Based Briquettes as an Alternative Biomass Fuel for Cooking in Uganda African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 3(1), 49-62. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.3.1.1763