Difference between revisions of "Charcoal Cookstoves"

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[[GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium|--> Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium]]
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[[GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium|--> Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium]]  
  
= Cooking with charcoal<br/> =
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= Cooking with charcoal<br> =
  
Charcoal is charred wood, which has lost all the moisture and most of the volatile contents in the production process. Thus it is a energy-dense light-weight (on energy value per weight), easy-to-handle and convenient fuel which burns without developing much smoke other than during lighting. These properties make it a preferred fuel especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Few people make their own charcoal. It is mostly produced in rural areas as an income generating activity and sold into the more urban areas where firewood collection is less feasible and people have paid jobs resulting in purchasing power to buy fuel. The main disadvantage of charcoal is its highly inefficient production process: a high part of the wood’s energy content is lost without further use during the charring process. Unlike during collection of dead wood for firewood, for charcoal production live trees are cut, thus contributing to forest degradation.
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Charcoal is charred wood, which has lost all moisture and most volatile contents in the production process. It is a energy-dense light-weight (on energy value per weight), easy-to-handle, and convenient fuel, which burns without producing much smoke other than during lighting. These properties make it a preferred fuel especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Few people make their own charcoal. It is mostly produced in rural areas as an income generating activity. It is then usually&nbsp;sold into the more urban areas where firewood collection is less feasible and people have more purchasing power to buy fuel. The main disadvantage of charcoal is its highly inefficient production process: a high part of the wood’s energy content is lost without further use during the charring process. Unlike during collection of dead wood for firewood, live trees are cut for charcoal production thus contributing to forest degradation.  
  
In contrast to wood, cooking with charcoal requires the use of a stove. Most traditional charcoal stoves are made of scrap metal with no option to regulate the burn-rate of the fuel and often without pot-rests, so that the pot sits directly on the charcoal. This causes extremely high emissions of potentially lethal carbon monoxide. It wastes a lot of fuel, as carbon monoxide is unburnt fuel with a high energy value. The lack to regulate the air supply and turn down the heat during the simmer-phase also leads to unnecessary wastage of fuel.
+
In contrast to wood, cooking with charcoal requires the use of a stove. Most traditional charcoal stoves are made of scrap metal with no option to regulate the burn-rate of the fuel and often without pot-rests, so that the pot sits directly on the charcoal. This causes extremely high emissions of potentially lethal carbon monoxide. It wastes a lot of fuel, as carbon monoxide is unburnt fuel with a high energy value. The lack to regulate the air supply and turn down the heat during the simmer-phase also leads to unnecessary wastage of fuel.  
  
In Africa, the most widespread example of an improved charcoal stove is the Kenyan Ceramic Jiko (KCJ). Similar designs have been replicated in many parts of Africa in the last two decades, sometimes with such success, that e.g. in Eastern Africa they can be considered the new baseline technology. This stove type has a ceramic liner in a metal cladding. The ceramic liner protects the outer metal structure from deterioration by the fire. It also provides improved insulation, hence higher efficiency and a hotter flame. It has pot-rests creating a small gap between the charcoal and the pot, to allow some of the produced carbon-monoxide to burn off. Combustion is thus improved and less dangerous smokes emitted. Due to these design characteristics the stove can save up to 40&nbsp;% of charcoal compared to traditional charcoal stoves while reducing toxic emissions. As most charcoal is purchased, users see the monetary benefit of saving fuel, which has made this stove model an economic success.
+
In Africa, the most widespread example of an improved charcoal stove is the Kenyan Ceramic Jiko (KCJ). Similar designs have been replicated in many parts of Africa in the last two decades, sometimes with such success, that e.g. in Eastern Africa they can be considered the new baseline technology. This stove type has a ceramic liner in a metal cladding. The ceramic liner protects the outer metal structure from deterioration by the fire. It also provides improved insulation, hence higher efficiency and a hotter flame. It has pot-rests creating a small gap between the charcoal and the pot, to allow some of the produced carbon-monoxide to burn off. Combustion is thus improved and less dangerous smokes emitted. Due to these design characteristics the stove can save up to 40&nbsp;% of charcoal compared to traditional charcoal stoves while reducing toxic emissions. As most charcoal is purchased, users see the monetary benefit of saving fuel, which has made this stove model an economic success.  
  
More recent efforts to design even more efficient charcoal stoves than the KCJ also include light-weight all-metal designs. These are relevant for areas, where suitable clay is lacking or where it is found challenging to combine the two trades of metal and ceramic workers to produce one common product. New generation charcoal stoves were a major topic at Stove Camp 2010 held at Aprovecho Research Institute. First attempts to (re)define design principles for charcoal stoves are documented here: [http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/charcoal-stove-design http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/charcoal-stove-design] and [http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/HaitiCharcoal_final.pdf http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/HaitiCharcoal_final.pdf]
+
More recent efforts to design even more efficient charcoal stoves than the KCJ also include light-weight all-metal designs. These are relevant for areas, where suitable clay is lacking or where it is found challenging to combine the two trades of metal and ceramic workers to produce one common product. New generation charcoal stoves were a major topic at Stove Camp 2010 held at Aprovecho Research Institute. First attempts to (re)define design principles for charcoal stoves are documented here: [http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/charcoal-stove-design http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/charcoal-stove-design] and [http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/HaitiCharcoal_final.pdf http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/HaitiCharcoal_final.pdf]  
  
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Options to improve charcoal stoves can be made in the dimensions of durability and better heat use: the main agent to control the burning of charcoal is air. To regulate the heat output, the airflow must be adjustable.
  
Options to improve charcoal stoves can be made in the dimensions of durability and better heat use: the main agent to control the burning of charcoal is air. To regulate the heat output, the airflow must be adjustable.
+
The heat output is mostly by radiation: charcoal radiates to all directions, not only upwards towards the pot, thus it is crucial to minimize heat loss to the bottom and the sides of the stove by recovering the heat. Cleverly designed air circulation in the stoves can recycle heat and create draft needed for efficient combustion.  
  
The heat output is mostly by radiation: charcoal radiates to all directions, not only upwards towards the pot, thus it is crucial to minimize heat loss to the bottom and the sides of the stove by recovering the heat. Cleverly designed air circulation in the stoves can recycle heat and create draft needed for efficient combustion.
+
Although radiation decreases exponentially with the distance, the pot must not be put directly on the glowing char. A gap should be allowed where ideally fresh secondary air can be directed above the charcoal to ensure a complete combustion of the carbon monoxide. This reduces emissions and increases fuel efficiency.  
  
Although radiation decreases exponentially with the distance, the pot must not be put directly on the glowing char. A gap should be allowed where ideally fresh secondary air can be directed above the charcoal to ensure a complete combustion of the carbon monoxide. This reduces emissions and increases fuel efficiency.
+
Summary of desired features:
  
Summary of desired features:
+
*durability  
 
+
*appropriate insulation or recovery of the radiated heat  
*durability
+
*high and adjustable airflow to maximize combustion  
*appropriate insulation or recovery of the radiated heat
 
*high and adjustable airflow to maximize combustion
 
 
*low emissions of carbon monoxide
 
*low emissions of carbon monoxide
  
== '''Charcoal stoves'''<br/> ==
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== '''Charcoal stoves'''<br> ==
  
History and data on the KJC: [http://www.solutions-site.org/cat2_sol60.htm http://www.solutions-site.org/cat2_sol60.htm]
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History and data on the KJC: [http://www.solutions-site.org/cat2_sol60.htm http://www.solutions-site.org/cat2_sol60.htm]  
  
{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"
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{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1"
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
'''Nansu Unfired Clay Stove''', Benin (2011)
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'''Nansu Unfired Clay Stove''', Benin (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Nansu C ramique Non Cuit Benin.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Nansu C ramique Non Cuit Benin.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
'''Burkina Mixte''', Burkina Faso (2011)
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'''Burkina Mixte''', Burkina Faso (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Burkina Mixte Burkina Faso.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Burkina Mixte Burkina Faso.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
'''Multimarmite Stove''', Burkina Faso (2011)
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'''Multimarmite Stove''', Burkina Faso (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Multimarmite Burkina Faso.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Multimarmite Burkina Faso.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
'''Sakkanal''', Senegal (2011)
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'''Sakkanal''', Senegal (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Sakkanal Senegal.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Sakkanal Senegal.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|  
 
|  
'''Jambar Stove, Charcoal,''' Benin, Kenya, Senegal (2011)
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'''Jambar Stove, Charcoal,''' Benin, Kenya, Senegal (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Jambar Charbon Senegal.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Jambar Charbon Senegal.pdf|border|left|Add caption here]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
| <br/>
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| <br>
'''Jiko Kisassa,''' Kenya (2011)
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'''Jiko Kisassa,''' Kenya (2011)  
  
[[File:GIZ HERA 2011 Jiko kisasa Kenya.pdf|none|GIZ HERA 2011 Jiko kisasa Kenya.pdf]]
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[[Image:GIZ HERA 2011 Jiko kisasa Kenya.pdf|none|GIZ HERA 2011 Jiko kisasa Kenya.pdf]]
  
 
|-
 
|-
| <br/>
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| <br>
 
|}
 
|}
  
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<br>
  
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[[GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium|--&gt; Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium]]<br><br><br><br><br>
  
[[GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium|--> Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium]]<br/><br/>
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[[Category:Cooking_Energy_Compendium|Cooking_Energy_Compendium]] [[Category:GIZ_HERA|GIZ_HERA]]
 
 
[[Category:Cooking Energy Compendium|Cooking_Energy_Compendium]] <br/>[[Category:GIZ HERA|GIZ_HERA]] <br/> <br/>
 

Revision as of 10:17, 17 February 2012

--> Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium

Cooking with charcoal

Charcoal is charred wood, which has lost all moisture and most volatile contents in the production process. It is a energy-dense light-weight (on energy value per weight), easy-to-handle, and convenient fuel, which burns without producing much smoke other than during lighting. These properties make it a preferred fuel especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Few people make their own charcoal. It is mostly produced in rural areas as an income generating activity. It is then usually sold into the more urban areas where firewood collection is less feasible and people have more purchasing power to buy fuel. The main disadvantage of charcoal is its highly inefficient production process: a high part of the wood’s energy content is lost without further use during the charring process. Unlike during collection of dead wood for firewood, live trees are cut for charcoal production thus contributing to forest degradation.

In contrast to wood, cooking with charcoal requires the use of a stove. Most traditional charcoal stoves are made of scrap metal with no option to regulate the burn-rate of the fuel and often without pot-rests, so that the pot sits directly on the charcoal. This causes extremely high emissions of potentially lethal carbon monoxide. It wastes a lot of fuel, as carbon monoxide is unburnt fuel with a high energy value. The lack to regulate the air supply and turn down the heat during the simmer-phase also leads to unnecessary wastage of fuel.

In Africa, the most widespread example of an improved charcoal stove is the Kenyan Ceramic Jiko (KCJ). Similar designs have been replicated in many parts of Africa in the last two decades, sometimes with such success, that e.g. in Eastern Africa they can be considered the new baseline technology. This stove type has a ceramic liner in a metal cladding. The ceramic liner protects the outer metal structure from deterioration by the fire. It also provides improved insulation, hence higher efficiency and a hotter flame. It has pot-rests creating a small gap between the charcoal and the pot, to allow some of the produced carbon-monoxide to burn off. Combustion is thus improved and less dangerous smokes emitted. Due to these design characteristics the stove can save up to 40 % of charcoal compared to traditional charcoal stoves while reducing toxic emissions. As most charcoal is purchased, users see the monetary benefit of saving fuel, which has made this stove model an economic success.

More recent efforts to design even more efficient charcoal stoves than the KCJ also include light-weight all-metal designs. These are relevant for areas, where suitable clay is lacking or where it is found challenging to combine the two trades of metal and ceramic workers to produce one common product. New generation charcoal stoves were a major topic at Stove Camp 2010 held at Aprovecho Research Institute. First attempts to (re)define design principles for charcoal stoves are documented here: http://www.bioenergylists.org/content/charcoal-stove-design and http://www.bioenergylists.org/files/HaitiCharcoal_final.pdf


Options to improve charcoal stoves can be made in the dimensions of durability and better heat use: the main agent to control the burning of charcoal is air. To regulate the heat output, the airflow must be adjustable.

The heat output is mostly by radiation: charcoal radiates to all directions, not only upwards towards the pot, thus it is crucial to minimize heat loss to the bottom and the sides of the stove by recovering the heat. Cleverly designed air circulation in the stoves can recycle heat and create draft needed for efficient combustion.

Although radiation decreases exponentially with the distance, the pot must not be put directly on the glowing char. A gap should be allowed where ideally fresh secondary air can be directed above the charcoal to ensure a complete combustion of the carbon monoxide. This reduces emissions and increases fuel efficiency.

Summary of desired features:

  • durability
  • appropriate insulation or recovery of the radiated heat
  • high and adjustable airflow to maximize combustion
  • low emissions of carbon monoxide

Charcoal stoves

History and data on the KJC: http://www.solutions-site.org/cat2_sol60.htm

Nansu Unfired Clay Stove, Benin (2011)

Add caption here

Burkina Mixte, Burkina Faso (2011)

Add caption here

Multimarmite Stove, Burkina Faso (2011)

Add caption here

Sakkanal, Senegal (2011)

Add caption here

Jambar Stove, Charcoal, Benin, Kenya, Senegal (2011)

Add caption here

Jiko Kisassa, Kenya (2011)

GIZ HERA 2011 Jiko kisasa Kenya.pdf


--> Back to Overview GIZ HERA Cooking Energy Compendium