Sunday, March 14, 2010

Making Charcoal Briquettes in Kenya









Our community came together to make charcoal briquettes and show our guests, including Deborah who was visiting from Switzerland, how to go about making these magical orbs. We collect charcoal dust that would ordinarily be thrown away and then combine it with materials such as grass, corn cobs, etc. We all work together wetting the material and making orbs that we leave to dry in the sun. The combination of materials in the briquettes makes them burn hot and well, and we have created something useful and environmentally friendly out of what would ordinarily be considered trash.

3 comments:

  1. How simple and perfectly wonderful. I am guilty of throwing away the powder at the bottom of the bag and never thought or know how to make briquettes. Asante sana, Phillip! I love your blog!

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  2. Its good to see bio-fuel briquettes being produced in may locations

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  3. We supply charcoal briquette machine to Kenya.

    Situated on the equator on Africa’s east coast, Kenya has been described as “the cradle of humanity”. It covers 581,309 km2 (224,445 sq mi) and has a population of about 44 million in July 2012. And charcoal production has an important position in Kenya. 700,000 people have been employed in this industry and 500,000 people involved directly in the charcoal trade as transporters and vendors. But, there are many things you need to notice if you want to succeed in making charcoal briquettes in Kenya.

    Kenya charcoal market

    Firstly, you need to consider the availability of raw materials.
    The fieldwork showed that the availability of raw materials has a strong influence over producers’ success.
    1. Proximity
    Like any production business, briquetting relies on good access to raw materials. So, the producer and raw material must be linked by an affordable means of transport. Such as a wheelbarrow, bicycle, public transport,etc. The materials used to produce charcoal briquette can be charcoal dust and biomass feedstock. And you also can not forget water and binding agent. The distance to get them must not be to long.
    2. Quantity and Suitability
    Not only must raw material be within reach, it must be available in large enough quantities. Because the producers need to have regular supply to ensure the sustainable production. Consider this you need to choose the suitable material which have massive production. There are many biomass feedstock you can choose in Kenya, such as the bagasse, coconut waste, wood waste etc.

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