[Stoves] Stoves Digest, Vol 4, Issue 13

[Kevin]

Dear Rajan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rajan_jiby at dataone.in>


>>
>> The washed dung will tend to be high in lignin, and relatively low in 
>> cellulose, in that the animal would have digested much of the original 
>> cellulose in the feed. Depending on the degree of washing and the 
>> characteristics of the washed dung, it may, or may not have sufficient 
>> binders to hold the washed dung together in the desired shape. 
>> Experimental work would be necessary to determine if added binders would 
>> be required, and quantities required.
>
>
> Dear Kevin,
>
> In case the binding properties are affected, that would be a disincentive 
> to a certain extent. This is because, when dung cakes are made in India, 
> the dung is mixed with loose materials like straw, etc. ( which are bulky 
> and inconvenient fuels when used independently ). Here, the dung works as 
> a binder also - apart from its role as a fuel.
>
# Good point here! If the dung washing removes binders, and prevents using 
the agricultural wastes for fuel, there could be a negative energy 
consequence. The question would then be health and fertilizer benefits 
outweigh the disadvantages of having to change the way in which agricultural 
wastes are used for fuel. Would there be an opportunity for an improved 
stove system that burned such agricultural wastes?

Best wishes,

Kevin