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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

charcoal briquette manufacturing, Uros Islands, Peru

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Chemical Engineering

Abstract

The Uros Islands in Peru, also known as the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, are made from reeds by the inhabitants. These reeds serve not only as shelter, but also as the main cooking fuel for nine months of the year. During the other three months the reeds are too wet to burn, so the islanders use propane to prepare their food. Unfortunately, propane can cost more than 50% of their monthly income which is a financial burden to most families on the islands. Additionally, breathing the smoke from these reeds can increase the islanders’ risk of contracting a respiratory disease. The goal of this project was to reduce the cost of cooking fuel spent by the inhabitants of the Uros Islands in Peru by designing a sustainable method of producing charcoal briquettes from the reeds in Lake Titicaca. Since charcoal burns cleaner than reeds, we also hoped to reduce the amount of harmful smoke the islanders breathe. Finally, we wanted to create an additional source of income for entrepreneurial islanders with this system.

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