Paper details

Title:

Utilization of Typha Grass as Alternative Energy Source and Income Generation in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands of Nigeria

Author(s):

Ajoku, K.B., Audu, I.G., Onwualu, P.A.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Typha grass (Cattail or Kachala) is a plant species of water invasive that under favourable condition proliferates and covers water ways and become difficult to control. The Hadejia­Nguru Wetlands are extensive area of flood plain in North­eastern part of Nigeria. In the wetlands and other parts of the Hadejia­Jamar’are­Komadugu­Yobe Basin, the invasion by Typha grass (Typha capensis) for over a decade constituted an alarming threat to the economy and ecology of the area. The paper examines the prospects of utilizing typha grass as biomass resource and its conversion to briquette as alternative to fuel wood in order to address the energy crisis of affected communities. The underlying objective is to promote productive use of typha grass as part of the overall national strategy to combat the menace of the invasive and the reduction of livelihood and increase in poverty of the affected areas in the Hadejia­Nguru wetlands. The paper highlights the findings from the field study carried out in the Wetlands and the potential for converting typha grass and other agricultural wastes as biomass for energy generation for the rural populace.

Keywords:

biochar, green charcoal, wetlands, carbonisation, fuel wood, Typha grass briquette

Topic:

Fuels from biomass

Subtopic:

Production, supply and use of solid biofuels

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP3.1.17

Pages:

1709 - 1711

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP3.1.17

Price:

FREE