Development of Screw-Type Briquetting Machine for Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract

The Hydra headed problem of deforestation and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management has bedeviled Nigerian States. Deforestation has put Nigeria on the world’s map as the highest contributor to the world’s deforestation of its primary forest (contributing over 50%), as over 70% of its population depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating. The rising profile of MSW, characterized by inefficient management methods make most Nigerian cities an eye sore, with uncollected waste littering almost every available space, drainages and water channels which poses great danger to human existence. Without alternative energy source available to the growing population, deforestation will continue unabated and in the nearest future Nigeria risk losing all of its forest resource. A Screw-Type briquetting machine was developed that utilizes crushed, combustible MSW to form briquettes to be used for cooking and heating, which is using one problem to fix another. MSW was formulated, crushed and used to form briquette. The briquettes produced burn in similar way to charcoal when compared. This will reduce to the barest minimum, deforestation rate and improve the management of MSW by utilizing as a resource what is termed waste. The developed machine has a throughput capacity of 2605.4Kg/hr and is driven by a 5 Horsepower (5 hp) electric motor.