Solar-Assisted Gasification Based Cook Stoves

Abstract

Indoor air quality is one of the prime concerns as it relates directly to the health of occupants. Detrimental pollutants from burning of solid fuels range from CO to NO, NO2 and suspended particles containing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons pose serious threats to human lives. Incorporation of alternative means of heating and near-complete combustion of biomass feedstock would be a better solution to this problem. Gasification based natural draft and forced draft cook stoves are helpful in improving the wood utilization efficiency and reducing the harmful pollutants. The combustion unit of gasification based cook stove is equipped with the provision of primary and secondary air, which facilitates the combustion and makes near-complete utilization of feedstock practical. Thermal draft in the chimney, a control unit of overall process generates pressure difference which facilitates the incoming of primary as well as secondary air and sidewise keeps the flue gases moving. Utilization of solar heating for preheating the feedstock is another step for making the total process efficient. In this chapter, we will discuss the advantages and challenges of different cook stove designs and feasibility of incorporating the solar heating in them.