How do we achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy? Currently, majority of rural dwellers use firewood, which is cheap and readily available around them. The use of coal is still prevalent in many households. These approaches poses a threat to the environment and life. Users are exposed to poisonous gas and use of firewood degrades the environment. Many of this cooking takes place in confined environments which increases the health risk. Cooking gas, although subsidized is still beyond the reach of many families.
Prof. Adedayo and his team at the Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology Akure considered this problem and came up with a plausible solution. This work focuses on the design, development and construction of a forced-air, top-lit, updraft biomass gasifier stove. To provide draft for the stove, the group incorporated an electronic fan which can be driven from the mains or solar powered. The biomass fuel for the present design is palm kernel shell. A picture of the final constructed stove is shown below.
The research group compared the finished product with a kerosene and gas stove. From the result (shown above), the constructed stove compares well with a gas stove in performance. The stove was also found to emit less fumes than the conventional firewood stove. This innovation can go a long way to combat diseases and deaths inhalation of dangerous gases during cooking. There is the need to improve on this and involve policy makers in this development.
References
1. Adedayo, K., Owoola, E. & Ogunjo, S. "The development of an enhanced biomass gasifier stove" Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. A Phys. Sci. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40010-018-0570-y
