Portable Metal Kiln

Country:
Kenya
Why to choose this solution?
They operate on reverse drought principle (where carbonisation starts from top going downwards) with the aid of chimneys situated around the base of the kiln. They provide a better control and greater yield (about 30%) of charcoal with short production cycle (16-24 hours) compared to the traditional earth kilns.
Savings per day or production:
Saves on kilograms of wood used to produce charcoal (i.e. reduce wastage of wood), as it produces more kg of charcoal (250 kg) for every 1000 kg of wood used while the traditional earth kiln only produce 120-180kg of charcoal with the same amount of wood.
Cost in money and in own time to construct:
Not specified
Lifetime:
2-3 years
Maintenance needed:
Not specified
Resources needed in use:
The kiln requires dried tree branches systematically arranged vertically into the drum and then fire is lit from the top.
Problems and limits:
They have a higher capital cost compared with an equal production capacity of either improved earth kiln or the masonry kilns, they are limited in production capacity (about 3-4 bags), biomass must be cut and or/ split to the size to fit into the kiln.
Where and how can you get it or make it?
These kilns are available at Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). They are made from ordinary oil drum, modified by welding a short metal pipe that acts as a chimney.
Skills needed to produce, install. maintenance, use:
Skills needed to produce and maintain the metal kilns are welding and metal crafts training. The charcoal producers are trained on how to use this technology, the easy-to-use training manual is also available at KEFRI to guide the users.
How to use it:
To be added
How to maintain it:
To be added
Climate effect (if any):
The kiln uses tree branches and thus no need to cut down trees, this technology therefore saves on trees hence reduces deforestation which contributes to climate change.
Where it is used and how many users are there?
This technology is used in Msambweni in Kwale county and other charcoal producing counties in Kenya.
Why is it successful?
Successful because the portable kilns are easily movable to sites where raw materials are located. The production cycle is short 16-24 hours, they are lasting and weather resistant (can be operated throughout the wet season).
If you can make it, a short description, typical problems, materials needed.:
The kilns are made of 2 mm thick stainless/mild steel consisting of three interlocking cylindrical sectors and a conical cover. The bottom cylinder has eight air inlet/outlet channels arranged radially at the base, chimneys situated around the base of the kiln.
How to make it (if possible):
To be added
How is it delivered and by whom?
Business model is production by skilled metal craftsmen, charcoal producers in charcoal producing counties (men and women) are trained on how to produce charcoal with this technology and through the charcoal producer association (CPA), the training spread to other charcoal producers. Main actors include charcoal producers, KEFRI, charcoal research and development organisations.
Successful financial model
Training charcoal producers, supporting the development of a charcoal framework that can be further developed by the Government into a full-fledged Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action priority, successful partnerships with Kenya Forest Service KFS) and organisations involved in charcoal-related research and development like united Nations Development Program (UNDP).
What policies and strategies helped the success?
Successful partnerships, Trainings of charcoal producers, charcoal rules and regulations 2015.
More info:
Read more https://www.fornis.net/node/272 and https://www.ke.undp.org/content/kenya/en/home/presscenter/articles/2016/sustainable-charcoal-production-using-improved-technologies.html
Sources:
Kenya Forest Service Tel: 020-2689882
Name of the association uploading the case:
SusWatch Kenya
When was the case uploaded? (YYYY-MM-DD):
2020-08-27