ABSTRACT

Fuel wood is central to survival and sustenance of livelihoods in rural areas. Demand for wood fuel in the form of firewood is continuously increasing in this country and it is therefore necessary to conduct a research to determine their burning characteristics bearing in mind the influence of appropriate burning appliances. In line with this, a survey was carried out by administering semi structured questionnaire to 180 respondents in 4 rural communities of Ikwuano Local Government Area ot Abia State. Nigeria. The questionnaires were distributed to 140 firewood users and 40 firewood sellers’ households using randomized sampling method to determine the preferred tree/shrub species, the rate of consumption and combustion characteristics. Questionnaire responses were analyzed using Microsoft Descriptive Statistics Packages. Seven woody species were selected on the basis of respondents’ preferences and prioritization and subjected to laboratory analysis. The mean specific gravity (SG) and net calorific values (NCV) ofthe species were found to range between 0.60-1.12 g • cm'3 and 79.46- 114.82 MJkg'1 respectively. The ash content varied between 4.38% - 6.12% for Dialium giiineense and Treculia africana and 25.50%-39.34% for Irvingia gabonesis and Treculia africana .The burning rates of the different species using the specified cooking appliances were calculated. The values ranged between 64.48g/min-75.38g/min for the traditional three piece stone, the control stove gave a range between45.74g/min-54.50g/min and for the improved stove it ranged from 40.02g/min-46.15g/min. The Laboratory findings were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The ANOVA result showed that there is statistical difference between the burning rate means. Having established that there is need to introduce improved firewood cooking stoves to reduce firewood consumption and waste, it is therefore recommended that Dialium giiineense should be used with the improved stove for sustainable firewood use