Mitigating Carbon Footprint in Northern Taraba: Sustainable Biomass Briquettes from Sawdust and Charcoal Powder for Clean Cooking

Abstract

With increasing concerns over environmental degradation and the unsustainable use of traditional fuels like 
firewood, there is a pressing need for renewable and eco-friendly alternatives. Biomass briquettes made 
from sawdust and charcoal powder present an innovative solution, leveraging readily available agricultural 
and industrial waste materials. The study focuses on assessing the physical and combustion properties of 
these briquettes, including moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, calorific value, 
ignition time, burning rate, and afterglow time. These parameters were measured using standard laboratory 
techniques, and the performance of the briquettes was compared to that of conventional cooking fuels. The 
results demonstrated that the briquettes exhibited favourable combustion characteristics, such as a high 
calorific value of 3898 kcal/kg, a moderate moisture content of 8.2%, and a steady burning rate, which 
indicate their potential for efficient energy production and prolonged heat release. Moreover, the briquettes 
produced had minimal ash residue and were easy to ignite, making them suitable for use in domestic 
cooking applications. This research highlights the promise of sawdust and charcoal powder as a sustainable 
biomass fuel, offering an affordable, environmentally friendly, and effective alternative to traditional 
cooking fuels. The findings support the potential for scaling up the use of such briquettes, particularly in 
rural areas, as part of efforts to promote cleaner energy solutions and reduce dependence on non-renewable 
resources.