[Stoves] Back into action

[Frank Shields]

Stovers,

The WBT was a successful program to compare stoves and allow the stoves with the best potential to be picked for further consideration in the real World. It was only flawed in the test method used. Lets correct these problems and get the WBT back to central to our many faceted program.  

1) It needs to relate to the fuel planned to be used. I suggest the energy in the Volatile Fraction to be the total energy released to the secondary. The Fixed energy to be the maximum  char making capability of the fuel. Results of percent energy used (if that is at all important?) is based on the volatile energy fraction and the Percent char produced a percent of the maximum for that biomass. That will please all three groups; TLUD, Rocket and Ron : ).


2) We need to have it measured for the many different tasks that the stove might be used. I suggest developing a Task Cube. This a solid metal (platinum, aluminum, steel, titanium) of something that will last. Cubed to exact measurements, Drilled and taped to fit a thermistor to record the increase in temperature. Place this block in with different foods being cooked and record the temperature profile. Develop the profile that needs be obtained for each task. Sell the Task Cubes to labs where they can place them in boiling water or sit on a hot surface then follow the temperature profile to determine if the stove will work for that task and when the task is completed.  

So we go from the actual fuel (well sort of) to the actual task (well sort of). The program is (or was) already set up and used so should be quick to get it running again. Purpose it to provide Cecil Cook (and others) with a list of stoves from an unbiased source and with best chance for success into the field so they can do the things they do. And provide the opportunity for every stove designer to get their stove  compared with others.  






Thanks

Frank
Frank Shields
Gabilan Laboratory
Keith Day Company, Inc.
1091 Madison Lane
Salinas, CA  93907
(831) 246-0417 cell
(831) 771-0126 office




franke at cruzio.com