Sustainable Energy Recovery from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) through Briquetting as an Eco-friendly Alternative to Wood Fuel in Burkina Faso

Abstract

This study focused on the energy recovery of water hyacinth as an alternative source of wood energy in Burkina Faso. It involved measuring the physical and chemical characteristics of ground water hyacinth. The study also involved manufacturing agglomerates of ground, non-carbonized water hyacinth and determining their physico-chemical characteristics. The results of the analysis reveal that ground hyacinth has a promising Net calorific value (15.54 MJ/kg) with a high ash content (18.78%). The study shows that the 5% starch formulation meets biofuel criteria with satisfactory impact resistance, a maximum moisture content of 2.76%, an ash content of 15.26%, a volatile matter content of 67.32%, a fixed carbon content of 17.42% and an Net calorific value of 15.24 MJ/kg. The study highlights the dual environmental advantage of mitigating water hyacinth proliferation while reducing reliance on forest resources, though challenges such as compressive strength require further optimization.