Production and Characterization of Coffee Husk Fuel Briquettes as an Alternative Energy Source

Abstract

Biomass energy accounts for more than 92 percent of overall energy consumption in Ethiopia. As a result, Ethiopia is one of the world’s most biomass-dependent countries. The high reliance on wood fuels and agricultural residues for fuel harms society’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. This study aims to create and test the quality of fuel briquettes made from the coffee husk. Also built and produced are a carboniser/charcoal kiln, a manually operated molder system, and a briquette stove for burning the manufactured briquette. The carboniser converts 15 kg of raw coffee husk into 6 kg of carbonised char in 25 minutes, and the manually operated briquette molder can press 30 kg per hour. The efficiency of converting raw coffee husk into carbonised char content was 40.12%. In the geological survey of Ethiopia, the geochemical laboratory directorate received triplicate samples of the fuel briquette charcoal for analysis. Moisture content, fixed carbon content, ash content, sulfur content, and calorific value were determined using a bomb calorimeter and a ceramic lining furnace. Physical properties of fuel briquettes ranged from 10.03% moisture content, 970 kg/m3 density, 81% fixed carbon, 5.15% ash content, 0% sulfur, and 30.54 Kcal/kg higher heating value, according to laboratory results. The results of the study revealed that the coffee husk fuel briquettes produced have more positive characteristics. Fuel briquettes were cost-effective and environmentally friendly and reduced deforestation compared to firewood. This study clearly shows that briquettes made from coffee husk could be used as an alternative energy source when this kind of waste is well managed.

Bioenergy potential from crop residue biomass resources in Ethiopia

“…This is corresponding to the rapid growth of population, urbanization, and industrialization [ 3 ]. It is detrimental to society's social, economic, and environmental well-being that so many people still rely heavily on conventional energy sources for lighting, heating and cooking [ 9 ]. Most households in the country frequently use three-stone fires for cooking as their primary energy source, which causes indoor air pollution and detrimental health effects.…”

“…Indoor air pollution is brought on by the harmful smoke that solid biomass fuels emit when they are burned. Additionally, it has a detrimental effect on agricultural households' capacity for production while arousing worries about significant CO 2 emissions, local deforestation, and land degradation [ 9 ].…”

Biomass energy conversion in a gasifier for injera baking mitad application

“…Using an open fire to cook releases harmful particles [11] that course several health problems and also deteriorate the rural household economy as well as the local and global environment. As a result of renewed interest in alternative energy sources, climate change and indoor air pollution are attempting to raise public concern about gasification [12] . One of the most significant renewable energy sources is biomass, and gasification offers a viable method for producing clean, low-emission synthetic fuels [13] .…”

Characterization of Biobriquettes Produced from Vineyard Wastes as a Solid Biofuel Resource

“…Lubwama et al [23] demonstrated that rice and coffee husks briquettes had superior thermal efficiency compared to groundnut shells. Briquettes from coffee husks were also studied by Setter et al [24], revealing the effect of particle size on the mechanical and energy parameters of briquettes and by Tesfaye et al [25], presenting the benefits of coffee husk briquettes compared to firewood.…”