Comparative analysis of selected biomass cook stoves’ efficiency in Minna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Fuel use is a measure of how efficiently the stove is able to transfer heat into the pot, which is expected to vary among the cook stoves because heat transfer efficiency seems to be predominantly dependent on the geometry of the stove and how closely the hot gases pass around the bottom and sides of the pot.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of biomass energy cook stoves.

Methods: This study carried out a Comparative Analysis of Fuel wood efficiency of four biomass cook stoves in Minna Metropolis. The Save80, the single-hole improved, the local Metal charcoal, and the Three Stone Open Fire (TSF) cook stoves. Copies of Questionnaire were administered to households, and efficiency test was carried out using the Water Boiling Test (WBT). The metrics determined were Time to boil, Thermal efficiency, Burn Rate, Specific Fuel Consumption and the Percentage fuel savings.

Results: Household’s size and income were found to be significant factors that influence the type of cook stoves, whereas occupation and educational attainment played no significant role. The Save 80 cook stove took the least time of 23 minutes, while in terms of Thermal Efficiency, it exhibited the highest efficiency of 34%. The Burn rate recorded for the cook stoves were 12g/min, 55g/min, 35g/min and 144g/min for the Save 80, single–hole improved cook stove, Local metal charcoal cook stove and the three stone fire respectively. Save 80 had the least Specific fuel consumption and highest percentage of fuel savings of 55g/liter and 65% respectively. It was observed that the Time to boil, Burn Rate and Specific Fuel consumption decreases with improved technology of the cook stoves.

Conclusions: The Fuel wood efficient cook stoves have the potentials of reducing deforestation thereby mitigating climate change since lesser trees will be cut down for fuel.