Comparative Analysis of Performance of Locally Used Cook Stoves

Abstract

It is estimated that 2.4 billion people globally rely on biomass as the main source of energy. This has resulted to burning of more than 2 million tones of biomass each day. Improved cooking stove projects in developing countries have been initiated to ensure efficient combustion of biomass.  Despite these efforts efficient biomass combustion remains a challenge. Therefore, new technologies have been ongoing to ensure efficient combustion in cook stoves. These include development of new fuels such as bio – ethanol gel which has the potential to reduce deforestation, reduce indoor emissions (that causes health problems) and slow down climate change. For these benefits to be realized stove designs must be developed so as to ensure efficient energy utilization. In this research three categories of locally used cook stoves designs were identified and their performance tested. These designs included the Moto Poa, Kenya ceramic jiko and the traditional open fire configuration. The tests done included the shell water boiling test (WBT) to establish the combustion and energy efficiency. In addition, emission tests were carried out to determine the amount of carbon monoxide and particulate matter resulting from the combustion process involving these designs. It was found that of the three designs, Moto Poa had the highest thermal efficiency of 43%. It also had the least amount of indoor emission to the environment. This was attributed to the uniqueness of the design. The results provided insights that would help carry out further design improvements.