Biofuel briquettes vs. Charcoal: A cleaner future for cooking fuels
Pioneering research from West Africa on sustainable energy solutions
image: Comparative assessment of pollutant emissions between biofuel briquettes and charcoal: implications for domestic cooking fuel selection
Credit: Junior Maimou Nganko, Ekoun Paul Magloire Koffi, Alpha Ousmane Toure, Prosper Gbaha, Claudine Tekounegning Tiogue, Babacar Ndiaye, Kalidou Ba and Kouassi Benjamin Yao
A Leap Towards Cleaner Cooking Solutions
In a significant stride towards sustainable and cleaner energy, researchers from West Africa have conducted a comparative assessment of pollutant emissions between biofuel briquettes and charcoal. This groundbreaking study, titled "Comparative Assessment of Pollutant Emissions Between Biofuel Briquettes and Charcoal: Implications for Domestic Cooking Fuel Selection," is led by Dr. Junior Maimou Nganko from the Laboratory of Industrial Processes of Synthesis of the Environment and New Energies at the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, in collaboration with the Water Energy Environment and Industrial Processes Laboratory at the Polytechnic School of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, and the Center for Studies and Research on Renewable Energies at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
The Cooking Fuel Challenge: A Quest for Cleaner Alternatives
The use of traditional cooking fuels like charcoal has long been associated with significant health and environmental impacts, including high levels of pollutant emissions and deforestation. Seeking cleaner and more sustainable alternatives, researchers have turned their attention to biofuel briquettes, which offer a promising solution. Dr. Junior Maimou Nganko and his team have taken on the challenge of comparing the environmental footprint of these two fuels to guide domestic cooking fuel selection.
The Power of Biofuel Briquettes: A Cleaner, Greener Option
Imagine a cooking fuel that not only reduces harmful emissions but also helps combat deforestation. This is the vision driving the research led by Dr. Nganko. By conducting a detailed comparative assessment of biofuel briquettes and charcoal, the team has uncovered valuable insights into the environmental impact of these fuels. Their findings highlight the potential of biofuel briquettes to significantly reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal.
Key Discoveries and Future Directions
This pioneering study conducted across multiple institutions in West Africa reveals several key findings:
- Reduced Emissions: Biofuel briquettes produce significantly lower levels of harmful pollutants compared to charcoal, making them a healthier and more environmentally friendly choice.
- Deforestation Reduction: The use of biofuel briquettes can help reduce the demand for charcoal, thereby contributing to the reduction of deforestation.
- Sustainable Energy Solutions: The study underscores the importance of promoting biofuel briquettes as a viable alternative for domestic cooking, supporting sustainable energy practices and improving air quality.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nganko and his team plan to further explore the long-term impacts of biofuel briquettes on both health and the environment. Their work promises to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and communities seeking to adopt cleaner cooking solutions.
A Sustainable Future: Embracing Cleaner Energy
This research is more than just a scientific breakthrough; it is a vital step towards a sustainable future. By demonstrating the environmental benefits of biofuel briquettes, Dr. Junior Maimou Nganko and his team are contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and improve public health. Their work highlights the importance of sustainable energy solutions in addressing some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Innovative Insights for a Greener Tomorrow
Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking research from the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Ivory Coast and Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. Dr. Junior Maimou Nganko and his colleagues are at the forefront of exploring innovative ways to promote sustainable energy practices. Their work is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the potential of renewable energy to build a cleaner, more sustainable world.
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Citation: Nganko, J.M., Koffi, E.P.M., Toure, A.O. et al. Comparative assessment of pollutant emissions between biofuel briquettes and charcoal: implications for domestic cooking fuel selection. Carbon Res. 4, 15 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-024-00177-2
Title: Comparative assessment of pollutant emissions between biofuel briquettes and charcoal: implications for domestic cooking fuel selection
Keywords: Biofuel briquettes, Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Pollutant emissions, Particulate matter, Deforestation reduction
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About Carbon Research
The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.