Situational analysis for producing biomass charcoal briquettes in Zimbabwe

Charcoal briquettes made by compacting agricultural waste are one of the most environmentally friendly and cost effective ways of reducing a nation's dependence on non-renewable sources of energy. This cellulosic biomass waste fuel reduces deforestation by replacing use of wood as a solid fuel. Converting agricultural waste to briquettes controls methane generation from decomposing biomass by flaring it during the carbonization process. A situational analysis was conducted at different companies in Zimbabwe to assess the feasibility of producing charcoal briquettes from waste. Raw material assessment was carried out at Nyanga and Mutare Saw Mills for sawdust, Kwekwe Delta Chibuku for sorghum spent grains and Triangle and Hippo Valley sugarcane mills for baggase. Based on the findings, it was concluded that saw dust generated in Nyanga, Chimanimani and Mutare saw mills is the most abundant raw material which can be used to manufacture charcoal briquettes. The use of non-renewable fuels i.e. coal brings pollution problems which include the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The situational analysis indicated it is feasible to adopt the charcoal briquetting technology if end users are ready to use the product and an appropriate technology like torrefaction is applied. Keywords: Biomass, charcoal briquettes, agricultural waste, carbonization, situational analysis.