Uganda – energy recovery from coffee husks
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Coffee husks can be used as a secondary fuel to cut fossil energy consumption by 30%.
ObjectiveTo reduce consumption of fossil fuels and lower the energy bill of the cement plant. ContextUganda produces large quantities of coffee, which accounts for more than 50% of the country's total exports. After harvest and drying, the beans are separated from the husks. The substantial volume of husks is landfilled or used as fertilizer by local farmers. Meanwhile, the Hima cement plant needs to bring its fuel supply by road tanker from Mombasa, Kenya, a distance of more than 1,500 km. SolutionLafarge's Hima cement in Uganda decided to use surplus coffee husks as a substitute fuel. Contractors continually deliver clean, dry husks to the cement plant, where they are fed directly into the combustion flame using a feeder system designed and installed by Lafarge. ResultsFossil fuel consumption has been cut by 30% and the total energy bill has been reduced considerably. The use of an alternative fuel and less truck transport of fuel oil also decreases the quantity of CO2 discharged to the atmosphere, while conserving fossil resources. CostAbout €10,000. LocationHima Cement Ltd. |
