Tanzania
|
In most cases, in Tanzania after the edible portions of the coconut fruit are consumed, the husks are thrown away or burnt. Improper disposal and burning of husks result in the creation of environmental problems such as air pollution and chocked (gutter) mosquito breeding sites that tend to cause cholera, malaria and fever.
|
A bag of charcoal weighing between 50 - 75 Kg is sold around 45,000 - 70,000 Tsh (USD 19.50-30) at a wholesale price. This means that one kilogram of charcoal costs about 900Tsh (USD 0.4), whereas one kilogram of briquettes is sold at 600-700Tsh (USD 0.25-0.30). Briquettes are more affordable than wood charcoal, are efficient due to a higher calorific value and have long burning time and higher heat content. |
To produce one ton of briquettes, SEECO incurs a total of 305,104 Tsh (USD 130). These costs include materials, labour, transportation of materials and overhead costs. To produce 1-1.5 ton 6 - 8 hours are required. |
N/A
|
Regular maintenance of the briquettes machines is required including replacement of bearings, etc. |
An improved cook stove is required. There is no need for a special stove, since the briquettes burn well in normal charcoal improved stoves. |
Low awareness on potential benefits of briquettes limit its use especially at household levels. Another challenge might be limited availability or increased costs of feedstock when markets of briquettes will peak in future.
|
Available in Tanzania market produced by SEECO company. Some trainings and investment in machines and construction of carbonization kilns is required to be able to produce briquettes.
|
Needs simple training to be able to produce briquettes. Needs to use proper ratios to mix materials required for briquette production. Some training is required on how to use the briquette production machines.
|
video
|
|
Methane is a greenhouse gas which is mostly emitted from decomposing waste. It has more than twenty times the potency of carbon dioxide and is ranked as a dangerous contributor to climate change. Using coconut husks and charcoal dust to produce briquettes avoids the production of methane while producing clean fuels which are useful for cooking. Carbonization of coconut husks is undertaken in simple retort kiln through pyrolysis process gas, thus less biomass is used to initiate carbonization before the process become self-sustaining.
|
Mostly used in Dar es Salaam city (Tanzania), especially in institutions such as schools. Most of the private-owned schools in Dar es Salaam use briquettes for cooking meals for their students. The University of Dar es Salaam with about 24,000 students uses briquettes for cooking in their cafeterias. Some of the poultry keepers are good customers of briquettes. In urban areas, particularly in Dar es Salaam, there are some households and food vendors who use briquettes for cooking.
|
Briquettes are more affordable than most existing fuel costs, more efficient since they have a higher calorific value and have long burning time and higher heat content. They are user-friendly, clean and smokeless.
|
Required materials include coconut husks, charcoal dust and cassava flour binder. After binding into shape, it requires sun to dry.
|
(video coming)
|
Main actors include wood charcoal wholesaler and retailers, coconut oil producers, cassava flour dealers, SEECO company, transporter and end-users. SEECO always works to maintain quality of its briquettes. The company uses a business approach to deliver briquettes to targeted end-users. SEECO uses marketing personnel to identify and interest to potential customers. Once potential customers are identified, they are provided with samples to test the product. In most cases, the majority of the people who have tested SEECO briquettes came back and buy more. On average every week SEECO sells about one ton of briquettes to existing customers.
|
Initial investment capital was covered by a grant from a development programme. SEECO incurs operational and maintenance costs through business returns.
|
National Energy policy of 2015 which focus to promote alternative fuels to wood charcoal, the Draft Biomass Energy strategy (BEST) identified briquettes from waste as one of the alternative cooking fuels. Also support from former minister of Environment of Tanzania, Mr. January Makamba, who organized awards briquettes competitions of the producers.
|
https://sescom.co.tz/seeco
|
https://www.facebook.com/SEECOtz/
|
TaTEDO, Centre for Sustainable Energy Services.
|
2020-08-18
|