BRIQUETTING A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DISPOSING GUINEA CORN STRAW (AGRO RESIDUE) IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

In Enugu state, the predominant population in the rural area are involved in subsistence farming were reasonable Large quantity of guinea corn straw is generated that are either left to rot on farmlands or disposed of by burning in open air. In many rural areas, the residues are also used in their raw form for cooking purposes which is inefficient. The disposal and use of the residues cause pollution in the environment which affects human health. Guinea corn straw can provide a source of clean and renewable energy in the form of solid biofuel called briquettes through densification. Briquetting is a densification technology that converts residues with a low heating value per unit volume into high density and energy concentrated fuels. This paper offers a perspective on the potentials of guinea corn straw in Enugu state to produce briquettes as an alternative clean and sustainable domestic cooking fuel. The paper concludes that briquettes could be economically and environmentally friendly alternative to fuelwood.