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
Very Good
NNEOMA, N (2023). Utilization Potentials Of Seven Firewood Species Used In Ikwuano Local Government Area Of Abia State:- ; Okezue, Nneoma. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/utilization-potentials-of-seven-firewood-species-used-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-of-abia-state-okezue-nneoma-7-2
NNEOMA, NNEOMA. "Utilization Potentials Of Seven Firewood Species Used In Ikwuano Local Government Area Of Abia State:- ; Okezue, Nneoma" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 29 Nov. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/utilization-potentials-of-seven-firewood-species-used-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-of-abia-state-okezue-nneoma-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
NNEOMA, NNEOMA. "Utilization Potentials Of Seven Firewood Species Used In Ikwuano Local Government Area Of Abia State:- ; Okezue, Nneoma". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 29 Nov. 2023. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/utilization-potentials-of-seven-firewood-species-used-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-of-abia-state-okezue-nneoma-7-2 >.
NNEOMA, NNEOMA. "Utilization Potentials Of Seven Firewood Species Used In Ikwuano Local Government Area Of Abia State:- ; Okezue, Nneoma" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/utilization-potentials-of-seven-firewood-species-used-in-ikwuano-local-government-area-of-abia-state-okezue-nneoma-7-2