Charcoal Briquettes Production from Chat Residue

ABSTRACT

The study presents the technical and financial viability of production of charcoal briquettes from chat-residue. Findings show that daily a considerable quantity of chat is supplied to and consumed in these cities and as a result a significant amount of chat-residue is generated. The study demonstrated that the production of chat-residue charcoal (CRC) briquettes, of acceptable quality, is technically viable. The CRC produced exhibited comparable physical and combustion characteristics in tests conducted both at EREDPC laboratory as well as in tests conducted at sample households. The financial viability of producing and marketing of CRC briquettes was found to be highly dependent on various factors including, the location of charcoaling and briquetting plant, volume of production and most importantly the price of wood charcoal. The production and marketing of CRC briquettes from chat residue in cities such as Addis Abeba has a potential for providing significant employment opportunity, while the added benefits of such scheme would be the removal and conversion of municipal solid waste to a useful and marketable product. The study recommends that potential youth groups be identified and a detailed financial viability of the production and marketing of CRC briquettes be conducted. Since charcoal production from residues is a new business, technical and financial support to the establishment of a pilot scheme would be necessary.

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