[Stoves] Key differences of performance test protocols for household biomass cookstoves

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear Testers

 

Please see the paper "Key differences of performance test protocols for
household biomass cookstoves" by Zhang, Y et al at

 

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=
<http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6827753&quer
yText%3DKey+differences> &arnumber=6827753&queryText%3DKey+differences

 

Abstract

"In this study, different ways of testing household biomass cooking stoves
are compared and analyzed. The differences between test methods relate to
the stove operation and data analysis methods, the fueling procedure, the
end point selection, the choice of metrics and others factors. The
influences of these differences were analyzed by using an induction heater.
The results show the use of a pot lid or not, and the selection of the end
point of the test have the greatest influence on the rated performance.
Consequently test results provided by laboratories using different test
methods will place the same stove-plus-fuel combination on significantly
different performance 'tiers'. Also the results show some metrics in popular
tests should be reviewed. Some recommendations are provided for improving
the accuracy and repeatability of test procedures and select metrics are
defined for greater clarity."

 

The comment "some metrics in popular tests should be reviewed" is a polite
way of saying they are not valid. This is a major issue when making
performance comparisons. If the metric itself is not valid then the
comparisons of it between products is not meaningful. One cannot trade money
or products on the result.

 

>From the conclusions:

 

b)       Some metrics still need to be revisited, even if they are generally
agreed within the "stove enthusiast" community. National or international
compulsory regulation of stove products as envisaged by ISO TC 285 must be
based on credible science. The point of testing is to provide useful
information. Selected indicators that meet specific needs must first be
agreed and validated, and then a test method or methods developed to collect
the information necessary to deliver product ratings that can be widely
compared and accepted by the public.

The paper is accessible free through academic services. 

 

Regards

Crispin

 

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