Emission factors and global warming potential of various solid biomass fuel-cook stove combinations

Abstract

Solid biomass fuel-SBF combustion is known to be the second-largest source of carbon emissions, which also leads to adverse environment and health implications. The study evaluated the emission factors and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for various types of fuel-stove combinations used for cooking purposes in Punjab, India. Most commonly used fuel types in the study area were chosen for the combustion emissions estimation. This was done by experimentally conducting water boiling test (WBT) for various fuel types such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, acacia wood, Mangifera Indica (mango wood) and cowdung cake. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured during WBT. Carbon balance equations were developed and Global warming impact index (GWI) of biomass fuels was also calculated. GWI for LPG, kerosene, acacia wood, Mangifera Indica (mango wood) and cowdung cake were found to be 16, 62.4, 341.4, 429.8 and 575.1 CO2-equivalent (CO2-e), respectively, in the time horizon of 20 years. The results show that LPG mitigates about 559 of CO2-e, thus reducing GHG emissions and findings suggest that amongst all the tested fuel types, traditional cookstove with cowdung cake as fuel was the worst performer. Mitigating GHG emissions by adoption of SBF based improved cookstoves alone is not possible to attain the target health goals. Hence, to minimize the emission factors and maximize the amount of energy supplied, this study emphasizes to explore the sustainable energy planning strategies and by extending the scope of clean fuels to reduce GHG emissions.