Organic Matter Fuel Briquettes as an Alternative to Charcoal: An Initiative for Forest Conservation

ABSTRAa Biomass briquettes, made by compacting biomass waste, have a wide variety of uses from househoid to institutional and industrial fuels but have not been fully exploited as a fuel source in the past. The overall objective of this study was to generate information on organic biomass fuel briquettes that can be utilized as an alternative fuel to unsustainable wood charcoal in order to conserve Uganda’s forest resources. Questionnaires, face-to-face Interviews and experiñients were uàed to obtain data. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 16.0. Analyses induded descriptive statistics, multi-linear regressions, Spearman’s rank correlation coeffident, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, chi-square, cross-tabs, t-tests, one way ANOVA with PosthocLSDandtheTukeytest Data was collected on the different types of blomass briquettes commonly used by households in Kampala city and the raw materials from producers of briquettes. Results revealed that many households had not realized the potential benefits of briquettes use and technology adoption. The types df briquettes commonly used in Kampala included stick briquettes, honey comb, cylindrical, round and doughnut shaped. The majority of the households are still dependant on wood charcoal, gas and electricity which are expensive and un-reliable energy sources, yet the use of briquettes could reduce deforestation, minimize waste streams, reduce indoor air pollution, reduce odors and enhance local job creation. However, those households using briquettes decried the low level technologies available, lack of equipment for use in making their own and lack of well-trained or skilled personnel to aid in sensitization and waste separation trainings. Ninety three percent (93%) of the energy consumption in Uganda is still woodfuel (firewood and charcoal) and agricultural wastes. There is need to have systems-modeling to identify and find the best possible solution and strategies needed in implementing household biogas digesters in communities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE

DECLARATION A

DECLARATION B II

DEDICATION III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES ix

LIST OF ACRONYMS x

DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS XI

ABSTRACT XII

Ci-IAPTER ONE I

1.0 INTRODUCTION I

1.1 BACKGROUND 1

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 4

1.3OBJECOvESOFTHESTuDY 5

1.4 HYPOTHESIs 5

1.5 JusTIFICATION OF THE STUDY 5

1.6 GEoGRAPHICAL AND CONTENT SCOPE 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.1 TYPES OF ENERGY SOURCES AND MATERIALS 7

2.2 COMPARISON BETWEEN PERFORMANCE OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTES AND WOOD CHARCOAL 15

2.3 How GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDERS CAN ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO ADAPT BRIQUETTE TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE

OF CHARCOAL 17

CHAPTER THREE 22

3.0 MATERIALS AND METIIODS 22

3.1 DESCRIPTiON OFTHE STUDY AREA 22

3.1.1 LOCATION 22

3.1.2 RESEARCH POPULATION 22

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN 23

3.3 S~N1~ SIZE 23

3.3.1 STRATIFICATION OF THE SAMPLE SIZE CATEGORIES 23

3.3.2 SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION 24

V

3.4 Sru~’ MATERIALS 25

3.5 DATA C0LLECHoN INSTRUMENTS 25

3.6 DATA C0LLEcnoN PROCEDURES 25

3.7 V~uc~i-n’ AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENTS 26

3.8 DATA ANALYSIs 27

CHAPTER FOUR 28

4.0 TYPES OF BRIQUETTES TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE AND FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR USE

AND ADOPTION OF BRIQUETTES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CHARCOAL FOR FOREST

CONSERVATION IN KAMPALA, UGANDA 28

4.1ABSTRACF 28

4,2 INTRODUCOON 29

4.3 O~icnv~ OF THE STUDY 31

4.4 MATERIALS AND METHODS 31

4.5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 32

4.5.1 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS 32

4.5.2 TYPES OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTES USED IN KAMPALA CITY 35

4.6 COEJCLUSION 43

4.7 RECOMMENDATION 44

4.8 REFERENCES 44

CHAPTER FIVF

5.0 PERFOMANCE OF BIOMASS BRIQUETTES AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE

COMPAREI) TO WOOD CHARCOAL 45

5.1ABSTRAcr 45

5.2 INTRODUCTION 45

5.3 O~i~Ci~v~ OF THE STUDY 46

5.4 HYPOTHESES 46

5.5 MATERIALS AND METHODS 46

5.6 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 47

5.6.1 WHY BRIQUETTES INSTEAD OF CHARCOAL7 51

5.7 CONCLUSION 54

5.8 RECOMMENDATIONS

5.9 REFERENCES

CHAPTER SIX

6.0 GOVERNMENT ANI) STAKEIIOLI)ERS’ INTERVENTIONS IN ENCOURAG INC PUBLIC USE ANI)

A[)OPTION OF BRIQUETTES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CHARCOAl

6.1 AB5TRAci 56

6.2 INTRODUCTION 57

6.3 OBiECTIvE OF THE STUDY 57

6.4 HYPoThESIS 57

6.5 MATERIALS AND METHODS 58

6.6 REsULTS AND DISCUSSION .58

6.6.1 ExTENT OF COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE ADOPTION AND USE OF BRIQUETTE

TECHNOLOGIES 58

6.7 CoNCLUSION 62

6.8 RECOMMENDATION 62

6.9 REFERENCES 62

REFERENCES 64

APPENDICES 68

APPENDIx I: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES 68

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE ENERGY-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS 74