Energy Efficiency Of Fuel Briquettes Based On Fine Charcoal. Case Of The Region Atsimo Andrefana (Urban Area)

Abstract

The Atsimo-Andrefana region, one of the most energy-consuming in Madagascar, because of the local energy-intensive dishes causing heavy deforestation in this area, is the subject of a study on its energy potential. In view of this and the degradation of local forest resources, the recovery of waste remaining charcoal already used for domestic energy purposes is a local priority. The present research work aims to provide the local population with an ecological and hygienic source of energy from local waste, coal fines.  The methodology adopted for the concretization of the present work consists in passing through the various stages of the following activities: bibliographical research and webography, the descent on the ground to see visually the local reality on the availability of the resource to be exploited, the investigations on the local culinary habits as well as the treatment and the analysis of the collected data. The result of this work showed that the population in rural areas has a waste resource of 10%. The average monthly consumption of charcoal per capita is 12.6 kg, or 63 kg/month/household of five people. Their cooking habits are very energy intensive (150 kg/year/capita of charcoal) compared to the national average (100 kg/year/capita of charcoal). The calorific value of fine charcoal briquettes varies according to two important parameters: the binder content and the fine matter content. For a binder content varying from 5% to 10%, the calorific value increases from 4284.77 kcal/kg to 6893.72 kcal/kg. With a binder content of 5%, the calorific value is maximum. The use of these briquettes for a household of 5 persons will allow to reduce the purchase of charcoal by 75.6kg/year and to preserve every year: 0.15ha/household or 5000ha for the Region of eucalyptus forest.