Utilization of bagasse in brickmaking
Practical Action
For bagasse blocks to be acceptable as wood alternative fuel in firing bricks. their cost compared
to total production costs must be lower or at least equal to that of wood. Table (4) compares the
two firings on an actual cost and energy use basis. To calculate the tabulated values the
following conversions were used:
Table (4) Cost of Energy: bagasse vs. miskit wood.
Particulars
A. Cost including Transport
Kiln 1
Loose
bag.
Calorific value
MJ/Kg
19.17
Quantity fired
Kg 6285.71
Energy / fuel MJ
120497.06
Total energy / Kilns
MJ
Cost/ Kg
LS 44.13
Cost fuel LS
277388.38
Total Cost/ Kiln
LS
Cost/ Brick
LS
Tot. cost / Tot. energy LS/MJ
Energy / Kiln
B. Cost without transport
Cost / Kg
3.75
Cost / fuel
23571.41
Tot. cost / Kiln
LSS
Cost/ brick LS / brick
Cost/ Energy
LS/MJ
Energy / MT of clay
MJ
Wood
19.35
6827.4
132110.19
252607.25
49.41
337341.83
614730.21
11.17
2.43
4.59
Kiln 2
Loose
Bag.
19.17
7199.99
138623.81
44.13
317735.55
49.4]
337341.83
360913.24
6.56
1.42
1987.01
3.75
26999.96
Wood Bag. Blocks
19.35
] 039.00
20104.65
49.4]
51336.99
18.66
3325.00
62044.50
220172.96
150.37
499980.25
869052.79
13.79
3.94
3.49
49.41
51336.99
56.39
187496.75
265833.70
4.2]
1.20
1510.82
Table (5): Comparison of the different cost components of the two firings
Item
A. Cost other than energy
Moulding
Drying
Loading kiln
Firing
Off-loading kiln
Land rent (15% of produce)
Leveling, cleaning & water
Other costs
Total
B. Energy cost (table 4)
C. Cost in B of table 4
Cost in B I Cost in A (%)
Cost in C l Cost in A (%)
Kiln 1 (55000)
bricks)
495000
96250
110000
110000
110000
301125
244091
160572
1627038
614730
360913
37.78
22.18
Kiln 2 (63000)
bricks)
567000
110250
126000
166000
126000
344925
279595
183927
1903 697
869052
265834
45.65
13.96
5