COMBUSTION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO (BAMBUSA VULGARIS) AND THREE INDIGENOUS WOOD CHARCOALS

This study investigated the combustion and mechanical properties of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) charcoal and three indigenous wood charcoal ( Teak ,Tectona grandis; Afara, Terminali a superba and Omo, Cordia millenii ). Results revealed that there were no significant differences in the properties charcoal produced from bamvboo and the tree indigenous wood. Bamboo and Afara were the most efficient out of the charcoal samples considered in the study. Although the fuel va lue index of Bamboo was quite lower than that of Afara and other samples considered in the study, but its calorific value was higher than Afara. However, it has greater potentials to replace woody biomass as fuel. Bamboo can replace other wood species in the production of charcoal because of its faster growth rat