Design and performance evaluation of inverted downdraft biomass gasifier cook stove for improving the kitchen environment of rural area

Abstract

The use of biomass is becoming increasingly important as an alternative energy resource for developing countries. In India, various Chula or biomass Gasifier stoves are utilized in various restaurants, including kitchens and roadside tea stands. These Chula or existing biomass Gasifier stoves have higher smoke emissions as well as lower thermal efficiency. Therefore, sustainable design and performance evaluation of biomass Gasifier cookstoves are required. IDBG cookstove has an inner diameter, outer diameter, and height of 19 cm, 21.5 cm, and 45 cm used for experimentation. Wooden blocks, Charcoal, and Animal dung were used as feedstocks with three repetitions of experimentations. The present case study illustrated the design and analysis of an inverted downdraft Biomass gasifier (IDBG) cook stove. It was tested in climate conditions of A D Patel Institute of Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India. Animal Dung found outstanding performance compared to other feedstocks, such as wooden blocks and Charcoal, with a thermal efficiency of 11-20% from the experiments. It has also been found that smoke emission of up to 20 to 40% is reduced using the IDBG cookstove. The current research has concluded that the IDBG cookstove reduced smoke emissions and improved thermal efficiency.