Journal of Pollution

Charcoal briquettes; clean energy for cooking in Uganda

Abstract

Godfrey Korinako Atuheire*

Charcoal briquettes are a solid and convenient fuel source made from densification of agricultural waste. A briquette is a compressed block of coal dust or other combustible biomass material (e.g. charcoal, sawdust, wood chips, [peat, or paper) used for fuel and kindling to start a fire. The term derives from the French word break, meaning brick. Densification involves conversion of combustible, low density materials and compressing them into solid fuel of a convenient shape. As such, briquettes have a high bulk density compared to fire wood and loose biomass, giving a longer burning time and thus cost savings for the user. In addition, briquettes offer other advantages such as burning with negligible smoke and no odor, producing less residual ash, being dust free and can be formed into uniform sizes and shapes which eases packing and are easy to use.