Comparative Assessment of Gasifier Cookstove Performance on Smallholder Farms in Three Regions in Kenya

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Comparative Assessment of Gasifier Cookstove Performance on Smallholder Farms in Three Regions in Kenya
Authors: Sundberg, Cecilia
Contributors: Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Originator
Source: Sustainability. 17
Subject Terms: Environmental Sciences, Miljövetenskap, Bioenergy, Bioenergi
Description: A majority of households in sub-Saharan Africa use inefficient biomass stoves in poorly ventilated kitchens, leading to indoor air pollution. Biomass for cooking can be sustainably sourced from agricultural residues such as prunings from agroforestry. This study assessed biochar-producing gasifier cookstove performance among 150 households in Embu, Kwale, and Siaya Counties through household surveys and participatory cooking tests with 75 households. With the gasifier, carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were lower in Embu (5.1 ppm), while carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were lower in Kwale, at 588 ppm and 136 mu g/m3, respectively. Compared to the three-stone open fire, reductions in CO and PM2.5 concentrations were highest in Embu, at 82% and 97%, respectively. The biomass-to-char conversion efficiency with the gasifier was 17-18%. If households consider the produced char as a soil amendment, they could save 24-43% of fuel compared to the three-stone open fire; if the char is seen as fuel, the potential savings are 42-65%. Significant differences between the three sites were observed with the gasifier for gross and net fuel use, and for concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2. Gasifier uptake can reduce the need for fuel collection and indoor air pollution, with a positive impact on both the environment and human wellbeing.
Access URL: https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143127
https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/id/eprint/38047/contents
Database: SwePub
Description
Abstract:A majority of households in sub-Saharan Africa use inefficient biomass stoves in poorly ventilated kitchens, leading to indoor air pollution. Biomass for cooking can be sustainably sourced from agricultural residues such as prunings from agroforestry. This study assessed biochar-producing gasifier cookstove performance among 150 households in Embu, Kwale, and Siaya Counties through household surveys and participatory cooking tests with 75 households. With the gasifier, carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were lower in Embu (5.1 ppm), while carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were lower in Kwale, at 588 ppm and 136 mu g/m3, respectively. Compared to the three-stone open fire, reductions in CO and PM2.5 concentrations were highest in Embu, at 82% and 97%, respectively. The biomass-to-char conversion efficiency with the gasifier was 17-18%. If households consider the produced char as a soil amendment, they could save 24-43% of fuel compared to the three-stone open fire; if the char is seen as fuel, the potential savings are 42-65%. Significant differences between the three sites were observed with the gasifier for gross and net fuel use, and for concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2. Gasifier uptake can reduce the need for fuel collection and indoor air pollution, with a positive impact on both the environment and human wellbeing.
ISSN:20711050
DOI:10.3390/su17135872