Bomdila Forest Division/CAMPA/2011 Page 1

REPORT ON DEMONSTRATION OF BIO-MASS BRIQUETTE MAKING TECHNOLOGY

A demonstration of bio-mass briquetting technology was organized by Bomdila Forest Division on 22/11/11. The demonstration was given by the technicians of Green Energy Ltd, a Dehradun based company. The demonstration was attended by DFO, Shergaon, DFO, Tawang, HODs from West Kameng District, Staff of Bomdila Division and members of the public (Gaon buras, NGOs, firewood traders, entrepreneurs from the area etc). The entire process was demonstrated in detail. The process essentially consists of anaerobic combustion of biomass (pine needles). In this step precaution has to be taken to ensure that anaerobic conditions are maintained and the biomass is burned to char and not ash. The charred biomass is then cooled and mixed with a binder which may be cow dung or finely sieved soil. Finally the mixer is passed through a briquetting machine where the mixture is pulverized and extruded to form briquettes. The briquettes are then sundried for two days before use. Apart from pine needles other locally available biomass like dry stems of Artemesia vulgaris (a common weed), dry bamboo, paddy and wheat straw, maize cobs and stalks etc can also be used for making the briquettes. The burning of the fuel was also demonstrated; 1 kg of the briquette burned for more than 1 hour and gave considerable heat as well. The briquettes were also tested in the locally made bukhari (stove) and found to perform fairly well. The demonstration was well appreciated by all the audience especially the public who proposed for loans under various schemes of the DRDA and the Industries department for the machine. This was appreciated by the Project Director, DRDA who agreed to look into the matter and was later communicated to the Deputy Director (Industries) as well. The public also demanded that the demonstration of the technology be held in villages as well for greater awareness. Firewood is an essential commodity for everyone in Tawang and West Kameng especially during the winters when the weather is very harsh. Alternative heating arrangements are electric heaters and diesel/kerosene heaters. However these suffer from the limitations of frequent power cuts, low

100 Kg BIOMASS

30 Kg CHARRED MATERIAL

(Pine needles)

30 kg CHARRED

MATERIAL WITH 10% BINDER

(Cow dung/soil)

30 Kg BRIQUETTE

Bomdila Forest Division/CAMPA/2011 Page 2

REPORT ON DEMONSTRATION OF BIO-MASS BRIQUETTE MAKING TECHNOLOGY

voltage supply, limited availability of diesel/kerosene and high cost of the oil heater. An alternative fuel source is required especially for fulfilling the heating needs. There is a provision for distribution of 10 such machines in 2010-11 AoP of CAMPA for Bomdila Forest Division under the head “reduction of pressure on forest”. To ensure that the inclusion of this particular activity under CAMPA fulfills its objective the following points could be considered:-

The machines may be distributed to VFMCs or SHGs belonging to villages which have been co-operating with the forest department. A special mention can be made of villages which have donated land for Compensatory Afforestation. The VFMC/SHG can operate the machine and sell the produce in the market.

It is also important to build forward linkages. Since simply supplying the machine and disseminating the technology will not ensure livelihood generation. Government departments and organizations like army and BRTF should compulsorily procure this fuel for office heating purpose. The District administration can issue a ban on use of firewood in offices. This will ensure a demand and market for the fuel and will be an incentive for people to produce it.

A lot of Hydropower projects are also coming up in the region. They may also be issued directives not to use firewood for heating and cooking purposes. The briquettes can be procured from the producers and supplied to all their offices, staff quarters and labour camps.

Departments like DRDA and industries can also popularize this technology through their various schemes.

Since the technology makes use of any biomass including weeds and bamboo. It can be popularized in other districts also and used by dhabas, hotels and hostels etc where firewood is used in large quantities for cooking purpose.

Pine needles are abundantly available in the area. They form a thick blanket on the forest floor and suppress regeneration and also create a potential forest fire hazard. A common practice by graziers in the region is to set fire to the pine needles to remove the blanket and encourage the growth of grass for grazing animals. The use of pine needles as an alternate fuel source can be a multi-pronged conservation tool; it can encourage regeneration of new growth, fulfill grazing needs, prevent forest fires and create a new income generating activity for the local people.

Bomdila Forest Division/CAMPA/2011 Page 3

REPORT ON DEMONSTRATION OF BIO-MASS BRIQUETTE MAKING TECHNOLOGY

RAW MATERIALS FOR THE BRIQUETTES – CHARRED MATERIAL FROM WEEDS AND PINE NEEDLES

PIT CHARING OF PINE NEEDLES MIXING CHAR WITH COW DUNG

PULVERIZING AND BRIQUETTING WITH THE MACHINE

Bomdila Forest Division/CAMPA/2011 Page 4

REPORT ON DEMONSTRATION OF BIO-MASS BRIQUETTE MAKING TECHNOLOGY

PINE NEEDLE BRIQUETTES. BRIQUETTES BURNING IN STOVE

DEMONSTRATION IN PROGRESS

THE AUDIENCE WATCHES THE PROCESS