ABSTRACT: The developing world faces dual crises of
escalating energy demand and lack of urban sanitation
infrastructure that pose significant burdens on the environment.
This article presents results of a study evaluating the feasibility
of using human feces-derived char as a solid fuel for heating and
cooking and a potential way to address both crises. The study
determined the energy content and the elemental composition
of chars pyrolyzed at 300, 450, and 750 °C. Fecal chars made at
300 °C were found to be similar in energy content to wood
chars and bituminous coal, having a heating value of 25.6 ±
0.08 MJ/kg, while fecal chars made at 750 °C had an energy
content of 13.8 ± 0.48 MJ/kg. The higher heating values of the
studied chars were evaluated using their elemental composition
and a published predictive model; results found good agreement between the measured and predicted values. Fecal chars made at
low temperatures were briquetted with molasses/lime and starch binders. Briquettes made with 10% starch had an average
impact resistance index of 79 and a higher heating value of 25