Assessing the performance of selected household biomass cook stoves in Uganda
Abstract
Adequate supply of energy is crucial for the development of any nation. Currently, fossil fuels are the dominant global source of energy (Goldemberg, Coelho, 2004). However, use of fossil fuels is associated with greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which is blamed for global warming, and consequently, climate change.
Worldwide, approx. 3 billion people are burning solid fuel, including biomass, agricultural residues and charcoal, for their daily cooking.
The study sought to evaluate the performance of charcoal and wood-fueled cook stoves. The study assessed the following objectives to Compare the thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption of different stove design using uniform fuel on different cook stove samples, to Compare the gaseous (CO and CO2) and aerosol (PM2.5) emissions released from these stoves, to find out the degree of safety of using the different cook stove samples
The study was a cross sectional survey because it was conducted conduct across participants over a short period of time and it did not need the researcher to make follow ups on the test subjects. The study was carried out at the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation which is a research, consultancy and training organization based at the Faculty of Technology, Makerere University
Though their efficiency is low, the baseline cook stoves (the three stone cook stoves, and the metallic cook stoves used less time as compared to the other improved biomass cook stoves to boil the water which came at a cost of increased fuel consumption which almost more than doubles the highest fuel intake of the improved biomass stove. This is because traditional metallic charcoal stove and three stone firewood stove have low heat transfer due to the fact that heat is not concentrated on the pot but is mostly lost to the surrounding resulting in high fuel consumption. Thus having improved thermal performance by the improved biomass cook stoves as compared to the traditional cook stoves. The particulate matter (P.M2.5) and carbon-monoxide (CO) were particularly high in the baseline stoves (three stone cook stoves and metallic cook stoves) as compared to all the improved biomass cook stove this is specifically because of uncontrolled air intake, and lack of heat insulation to prevent heat loss, and heat direction which leads a lot of heat being lost in the surroundings.There is high durability and safety of the improved biomass cook stoves as compared to the baseline cook stoves though some failed the durability test with ratings below 50% like Matawi WD12