AEST Agricultural Waste Charcoal Briquettes

Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies Limited

Distributed in Uganda, AEST briquettes are made from various recycled agricultural wastes and ready for a single use.

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Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
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Product description Brand name and product description

Made and sold by Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies Limited, AEST Agricultural waste briquettes are charcoal briquettes from various recycled agricultural wastes.

AEST is based in Soroti, Uganda.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Uganda.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

AEST.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

Unknown.

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

There are various briquettes being sold in Uganda. However, AEST is the only company producing and selling briquettes with the materials they use. ^{Interview with representative}

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Low-income households in Uganda.

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Mass produced using a specially constructed motorized extruder using an old meat grinder.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Not IP Protected, however, it is the first briquette of its kind in Uganda. AEST created their own briquette press and they are the only producers using the specific agricultural wastes they use.

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

Women in Uganda distribute the briquettes. Customers can come to the local shops, or may go straight to the production site to purchase them in Uganda. AEST also takes orders for mass quantities.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Over 50,000 kg of charcoal. Over 1,000 individual households, 2 orphanages, 15 schools, 40 restaurants, and 10 hotels have used this product.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Material composition

What is the material composition of the fuel (e.g. ethanol, biogas, agricultural residues, etc.)

Agricultural waste

Higher heating value (MJ/kg)

MJ/kg, energy content per gram

Unknown

Types of primary pollutants

What are the main pollutants when the fuel is combusted? (e.g. CO, PM2.5)

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Diameter: 5 cm

Length: 20 cm

Weight (kg): 0.05 – 0.10

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

None available

Technical support Technical support provided by

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

Single use product.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

N/A, single use product

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Smokeless and sootless and 40-50% energy conserved.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Unknown

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

MIT D-Lab

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Guidelines provided by AEST must be followed when manipulating the product.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

AEST also produces and distributes its own clean cooking stove to go with the briquettes it produces to enhance the efficiency and reduce emissions.

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

O’Neill, M., Wagner, A (2017). Wear-Resistant Extrusion Auger for the Production of Charcoal Briquettes from Agricultural Waste. Mechanical Engineering Senior Thesis. Santa Clara University.

Wang, L (2016). The identification and validation of case hardening for extending charcoal briquette extruder lifespan. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Further academic research is here.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

None.

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

MIT D-Lab has conducted various tests on the briquettes, including: moisture content, ash content, indoor air quality measurements, and emissions. AEST also conducted field testing to gain feedback from the community to determine the likelihood of the product being adopted by the communities.

Other information

AEST’s awards and recognition here.

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In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

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