IBB Varsity begins Research on Smokeless Fuel

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, has begun research on how to produce smokeless fuel from coal. Nuhu Obaje, a professor in the Department of Geology and Mining, is supervising the research.

Obaje said the university has released funds to bankroll the research, which seeks to use coal to generate eco-friendly fuel and electricity.

He said the research would be completed within two years and would involve support from students. Obaje said the findings of the research would boost electricity generation and energy availability in the country.

With 80 per cent of the nation’s power generation coming from hydro sources, Obaje explained that the project was pertinent to explore other sources that would have eco-friendly benefits.

He said: “Smokeless fuel does not produce visible smoke when it burns. It is produced by heating coal to a certain temperature in the absence of oxygen. However, only specific physio -chemical parameters are suitable for the production of smokeless fuel.”