Experimental Study of Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Comparison from Bio-ethanol Gel Stoves

Abstract

It is estimated globally that at least one-third of the population uses traditional biomass for cooking using inefficient stoves. The use of these forms of energy is associated with environmental as well as human health impacts. The inefficient combustion results to high levels of indoor air pollution from solid fuel use. These emissions have been responsible for more than 1.6 million annual deaths and 2.7% of the global diseases. Clean cooking fuels such as bio-ethanol gel combustion using efficient stoves are considered as one alternative to the traditional biomass fuels. In this paper the potential of bio-ethanol gel fuel to reduce indoor air pollution using improved stove is presented. The performance of two existing gel fuelled stoves that is moto safi and moto poa stoves and a fabricated improved stove were analyzed. This was based on the fuel efficiency usage and the level of indoor air emissions released by the three stoves. The WBT 4.1.2 procedure was used to determine the fuel efficiency while the indoor concentration of three major pollutants: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulates; were monitored and recorded using EasyLog CO data logger, Telaire 7001 CO2 data logger and UCB particle monitor respectively. The test was done in a simulated kitchen under controlled settings to minimize variability of data. The results obtained from this study showed that, the improved
stove boiled 2.5 litres of water faster saving 8.9% and 11.6% of fuel compared to the moto safi and moto poa stoves respectively. On the other hand using the improved stove CO emissions was reduced by 38.6% and 55.7% in comparison to the moto safi and moto poa stoves respectively. The high fuel efficiency and reduction of indoor air pollution by the improved stove over the moto safi and moto poa stove showed that it is the most appropriate stove for application in low income rural areas as well as in middle income earners in urban household areas.