[Stoves] Use of Biochar Producing Cookstoves in Rural Kenya: Energy efficiency, air pollution concentrations, and biochar production potential

[Tom Miles]

Sweden, Kenya: Use of Biochar Producing Cookstoves in Rural Kenya: Energy
efficiency, air pollution concentrations, and biochar production potential

Household air pollution annually kills around 14 300 people in Kenya, due
to the hazardous smoke of incomplete combustion coming from inefficient
stoves. Exposure to this smoke leads to lethal health issues for the women
and children staying in these kitchens, but the smoke also leads to a
contribution to global warming. Which makes it important finding a
replacement for the inefficient traditional cooking methods.

This report presents results from a field work situated in Kibugu, Embu in
central Kenya. It includes testing of three stoves, the traditional Three
stone open fire and two biochar producing stoves, the previously tested
stove Gastov made by KIRDI and the MiG|BioCooker made by Make It Green
Solutions AB. The data was collected using participatory cooking tests
where five households got to cook the traditional meal Ugali with Sukuma
wiki and Githeri (maize and beans). Firewood consumption, emissions of CO
and PM, user experience and char production were measured during the test,
to be able to compare the stoves.

The results indicate that the MiG|BioCooker can decrease the emissions of
PM2.5 and CO in the kitchens and produce biochar. But on the other hand,
cooking with three stone open fire more effective in terms of cooking time.
Even though the MiG|BioCooker could improve the conditions of the
household’s indoor air, the users seems to prioritize the practical
characteristics of the three stone open fire that gives them more time and
making it easier to cook. But with some modifications and by further use of
the MiG|BioCooker, it might be a possible substitute to the three stone
open fire in the future.

https://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1349162/FULLTEXT01.pdf
-- 
Tom Miles
Chair, International Biochar initiative
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