PRODUCTION OF WOOD ENERGY (STICK) FROM THE ORGANIC NOT RECOVERED MATERIAL: THE CASE OF NEEM LEAVES, RICE BRAN AND SAWDUST

Abstract

This study focuses on energy recovery from biomass plants which are generally considerated as waste. Specially, it is the production of a form of cooking energy source from the leaves of neem, rice bran and sawdust. These plant materials were mixed in three different proportions of clay and kneaded by hand to make rods. It appears from the combustion test that only rod made from approximately 25% clay has burnt. From 1kg of these kinds of fuels, it was possible to boil 5 liters of water. Rods obtained from neem leaves were more energy efficient despite the smoke they produce. It therefore appears that 1kg of rod equals to 0.7 kg of fire wood and supplied at least 770 kcal. An amount of 2.2 kg of this type of fuel is enough to cook three times a day meal to a person. Therefore, the technology of rod production can contribute significantly to provide a cooking source of energy to people where there is abundant biomass not valued as the leaves of neem, rice bran, and sawdust.