Effect of harvest age on the charcoal quality of selected Bamboo species commonly grown in Uganda

Abstract

Uganda's increasing reliance on traditional biomass for energy especially fuel wood and charcoal burning is amount enormous pressure on the already diminishing wood resources. Bamboo, a rapidly growing and versatile species, and presents a promising alternative for fuel supply instead of hardwood. However, not much information is available on the performance of bamboo as a fuel wood species. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of bamboo age on charcoal quality, providing valuable insights for sustainable energy production. This study focused on charcoal made from two bamboo species commonly grown in Uganda that is to say; Dendrocalamus asper and Oxytenanthra abyssinica carbonized using a retort kiln. The following parameters were studied on the resultant charcoal produced from bamboo at different ages; calorific value, ash content, and porosity. The findings showed notable differences between the species: Dendrocalamus asper showed better thermal efficiency (67.3%) and lower specific fuel consumption (20.3%), whereas Oxynathra abyssinica yielded more charcoal about 27.8% but had a lower calorific value (25.721MJ/Kg). Age had a moderate impact on the physicochemical characteristics and charcoal yield; Oxynathra abyssinica, for example, exhibited reduced water absorption (56.8%) and increased density with age. this study conclusion show that, Dendrocalamus asper exhibits better thermal efficiency and lower specific fuel consumption (SFC), making it suitable for fuel applications requiring energy efficiency, while Oxytenathera abyssinica yields more charcoal and has a higher calorific value, making it ideal for large-scale production. Harvesting age did not significantly affect yield or physio-chemical characteristics. It is advised to prioritize Oxytenathera abyssinica for increased output, make investments in cutting-edge carbonization technology, and do additional study to better understand sustainability. Government subsidies for the manufacturing of bamboo charcoal and laws supporting environmentally friendly carbonization processes and sustainable harvesting practices are examples of proposed policies.