Coffee Husk Briquettes: A New Renewable Energy Source

In the rural region of Segundo Frente, in Cuba, due to the present rate of deforestation, the local authorities have carried out severe restrictions over the fuelwood collection, and it is necessary to introduce other sources of cheap and available fuels. Attention has been directed to coffee husk because of its abundant residue in the mountainous region, being estimated at 186 tonnes annually. In this work coffee husk densification and its combustion in bakery furnaces has been studied. The experimental results have demonstrated that coffee husk briquettes can be used as a renewable fuel, with combustion characteristics very similar to firewood. The environment will benefit noticeably because the briquettes combustion reduces the amount of burned residue in open spaces and consequently the pollution.