Experimental investigation on energy-efficient twin-mode biomass improved cookstove

Abstract

This study deals with the design and development of a gasification-based wood gas stove for energy demand of a six-member family. The novelty of the designed cookstove is that it works in the natural draft as well as in forced draft air supply mode efficiently. The performance of the developed stove was examined as per the Bureau of Indian Standard (IS: 13152; Part-I) test protocol. The stove was tested with babul (Acacia nilotica) wood and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell pellet in dual draft air supply mode. In the forced draft air supply mode with A. nilotica wood, the average thermal efficiency, power rating, CO and CO2 emissions and total particulate matter were estimated at around 36.56%, 3.15 kW, 0.2 ppm and 10.4 ppm, and 134.1 × 10−6 g kJ−1, respectively. The economic assessment was carried out as per the supply and market rates in India, which may vary from country to country. The capital cost of the cookstove is around 11 US$, which makes it economically viable for the people residing in rural areas with the payback period of 20–29 days.