Terms of References for Consultant Technical Innovation and Upgradation of Briquetting Machine for Briquette Production under the project ‘Promotion of market for Briquette and ICS Towards Access to Clean Cooking Solutions’

1. Basic Information

2. Background

Practical Action Bangladesh country office with support from Energising Development (EnDev) conducted an action research from August to December 2018 to explore small-scale mechanical briquetting technology for conversion of un/under-utilized biomass like dried faecal sludge, resulting from the emptying and containment of such sludge at faecal sludge treatment plants, and other biomass like waste paper, saw dust, poultry litter, broken green jute sticks and maize leaves and stem- to briquette and promote the market as clean cooking fuel. Practical Action worked with four small-scale entrepreneurs in Satkhira and Rangpur and helped them to set up briquette production system to serve people in low income communities, slum dwellers and street and other informal food vendors in urban and peri urban areas who cannot afford LPG and other clean cooking fuels. Surveys show that a four members family on average spends around Taka 1200/month for LPG whereas it can be Taka 800 (33% reduction) if they use briquettes (subject to seasonal variations). Displacing LPG with renewable biomass (briquettes) will reduce carbon emissions, cooking time and kitchen air pollution resulting health safety.

Though entrepreneurs initiated the business, they still need technical, management and promotional support to make the business sustainable and assess scope for commercialization. Skill and supports are required for further technological upgradation, O&M of briquetting machines, lowering the cost of production, diversity in products and improving the hygienic status and indoor air quality of production center and promotional support to expand the market for briquettes.

Practical Action and SNV are jointly working together for the demonstration of the nexus of sanitation and energy to increase the access for clean cooking solutions (fuel and improved cook stoves) by rural and urban poor people. Energising Development (EnDev) programme of GIZ is supporting this joint initiative.

The overall objective of the project is to develop and strengthen local market system of briquettes (from dried sludge and un/under used biomass) and linking with improved stoves programmes of different national ICS stakeholders for increasing access to clean cooking solutions (fuel and stoves) by 1800 low income rural and urban households and 200 commercial customers. The specific objectives are: Strengthen capacity of 7 small and medium entrepreneurs for production and quality control of Briquette (from un/under used biomass i.e. dried faecal sludge, broken green jute sticks, poultry litter, and leaves, etc.) to achieve the target (500 kg/day/entrepreneurs) and Strengthen the business capacity of 20 ICS manufacturers to promote the market of 2000 improved cook stoves (tier 2 and above) including 1800 households and 200 commercial stoves.

The project is working with seven briquette entrepreneurs in Khulna, Jhenaidah, Faridpur, Satkhira and Rangpur. Out of these, 3 are old and 4 will be new entrepreneurs. Practical Action works with 3 existing partners in Satkhira and Rangpur who are already in the business of briquette production and will bring two more from Faridpur and Rangpur area. On the other hand, SNV will work with 2 new entrepreneurs in Khulna and Jhenaidah where they have assisted cities to set up the treatment plants for drying faecal sludge.

3. Key Areas of Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant:

One of the important components of the project is ‘Technical Innovations and Upgradation for Briquette Production Technology (i.e. mechanical extruders) for sustainable operation and maintenance.

The project includes designing, estimating manufacturing and training local manufacturers to fabricate and install low cost, electricity-run, efficient equipment.

The Consultant will-

• Visit areas in Satkhira and Rangpur, observe production system, consult entrepreneurs, local technicians who fabricate and provide installation and support services, review most frequent troubleshoots, explore, test and demonstrate appropriate solutions for sustainable operation and management
  
• Provide context and biomass specific technical innovations for upgradations of the existing equipment and both installed and would-be-installed briquetting machines in Khulna, Jhenaidah, Faridpur, Satkhira and Rangpur.
  
• Work on the upgradation of the mechanical extruders and increase efficiency of the total production process though innovations in drying, crushing, mixing, insulation and exhausting processes.
  
• Focus on the innovations regarding heat loss, reduction of the consumption of power and lowering the production cost.
  
• Develop demonstration to facilitate safe disposal of smoke and smoke management.
• Analyse the test results and change the design as needed
• Prepare a knowledge bank containing documentation of all the aforementioned tasks for preparing and submitting a final reporting with listing of required parts, spare parts, O&M mechanism and after sale support availability.
• Prepare the computer aided technical and perspective (2D and 3D) designs of the briquetting machine, conceptualizing innovative ideas, drawings to the required level of technical accuracy and documentation.
  
• Provide necessary support and maintain close ties with to the technical team.
  
• Perform any other task assigned by the authorities.

4. Deliverables

A final report with detailed technical and perspective drawings and listing of required parts, spare parts, O&M mechanism and after sale support availability with technical drawings.

5. Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Industrial/ Chemical/ Agriculture Engineering from a recognized university of Bangladesh.
• S/he must have at least 3 years of experience in the relevant field.
• S/he should have knowledge on local availability of spare parts and support services.
• Skills Required: Mechanical Design, Drawing and Estimation
• S/he should have excellent command over both Bangla and English languages and Report writing

Submit to the email address: abdullah.almamun@practicalaction.org.bd