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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga

Black or White?

9 May 2009 Filed under (Alternative energy, Charcoal) by Virginia @ 3:33 pm

First of all I would like to thank every person who has kindly donated to this Fuel Briquette project. So far we have raised $22,578, including two cheques of $5,000 each from Andrew C and Gary W.- THANK YOU!

We are almost there …. hopefully we will reach the target for the 100 pressing machines and accessories we need to install in May.

Our first attempt to get the fuel briquettes dry faster was to create a makeshift greenhouse, using transparent plastic and local bamboo. For our fuel briquette program, this proved to be very effective, since fuel briquettes now take only 2 or 3 days to completely dry out. Remember a dry briquette equals to a smoke-free burning.

Our classic greenhouse made with transparent plastic

Inside the greenhouse, getting fuel briquettes dry faster

But the transparent plastic is quite expensive. And following recommendations from a friend and engineer, we have decided to give it a try with the black plastic - which is half the price!

Our first example of the greenhouse made with black plastic

We are still on the ‘experimental phase’ but so far, they both seem to dry fuel briquettes in 2 or 3 days. Some have claimed that the ‘blackhouse’ keeps the heat for longer when the sun is gone. But will the black plastic deteriorate faster? We will have to carry our more tests before we continue with our property development project.

If there is any expert on the subject out there, all ideas are very welcome- we are constantly looking into new ways to improve the whole process!

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4 Responses to “Black or White?”

  1. BETTY vENEZUELA BETTY vENEZUELA Says: 9 May 2009

    Bueno Virginia…. estoy averiguando otras alternativas para secar las briquetas mas rapido, ya que parece que el negro se daña mas rapido. felicidades por las cantidades de donaciones

  2. lisah lisah Says: 10 May 2009

    Hi Virginia, Wow! The greenhouses and the briquettes look awesome! It looks like you are getting it all down to a smooth science. That’s fantastic! Even though I haven’t been contributing like I used to, the Virunga team is never far from my thoughts and I have frequently checked in at the blog to see how things are going. The site looks great! I like all the new features! I hope to be checking in a bit more frequently. : )

  3. virginia Virginia Says: 10 May 2009

    Thank you Betty and Lisa, I am glad you are enjoying the posts. Your support has no price, so from all the briquette team, it is a big thank you. We love reading your comments!

  4. Betty from Venezuela Betty from Venezuela Says: 12 May 2009

    Virginia did you solve the problem of the black plastic???

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