The Production And Characterization Charcoal Briquette From Juniperus Procera Sawdust As Alternative Energy Source In Sheger City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia’s energy consumption predominantly depends on traditional biomass such as firewood, agro-residues, dung, and charcoal. The objectives of the study were to produce charcoal briquette from Juniperus Procera Sawdust in Sheger city as well as to evaluate the potential of the briquettes produced, estimate their potential through determination of charcoal. The Juniperus Procera Sawdust was carbonized in an oxygen-scarce environment separately by using carbonizing smokeless kiln at Alternative Energy Development and Promotion Directorate, Minister of Water and Energy. Then the carbonized were mixed with a binder and transformed to briquettes by using a hand press briquette machine. Triplicate samples were taking for laboratory analysis and carried out by using American Society for Testing and Materials procedure. The laboratory analysis revealed that the fixed carbon content and calorific value of briquettes made from carbonized Juniperus Procera Sawdust was 47.3 ± 0.58 % and 19718.94 ± 61.92kJ/kg respectively. In addition to this, the result indicated that fuel briquette produced from the carbonized Juniperus Procera Sawdust higher quality briquatte in terms higher values of fixed carbon content and calorific value.but the carbonized Juniperus Procera Sawdust briquette have higher ash content than carbonized Juniperus Procera Sawdust charcoal.because of noncombustion clay binder was used. Further analysis showed that the commercial acacia charcoal and Juniperus Procera Sawdust briquettes were strong heat which got on average 58min and 69 min to boil three liters of water respectively. It is concluded that fuel briquette produced from Juniperus Procera Sawdust have relative energy with commercial acacia charcoal and could be used as an alternative source of energy, reduce alarming rate of deforestation and improve waste management