Energy Efficiency Improvement in Biomass Cookstoves through Inert Material Integration: Experimental Evaluation Considering Pot Size and Operating Phases
This study follows on from our previous work on the comparative analysis of the thermal performance of improved cookstoves based on pot size. It focuses on the experimental evaluation of the effect of integrating inert materials (granite) into an improved charcoal-fired cookstove. The tests were conducted according to the Water Boiling Test (WBT) protocol in three phases: cold start, hot start, and simmering, using pots of sizes 2 and 3. The parameters analyzed were specific fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, fire intensity, specific boiling time, and water temperature evolution. The results show that the addition of inert materials improves the overall performance of the cookstove. These materials act as heat storage and release agents, which reduces heat loss and optimizes fuel use, particularly during the simmering phase. For pot 2, the results indicate a significant reduction in specific fuel consumption (up to 0.069 kg/L) as well as good efficiency during the simmering phase (≈38%), although boiling times are sometimes longer. For pot size 3, performance is generally superior, with efficiencies reaching over 40% during hot start-up and nearly 48% during simmering, as well as shorter boiling times. The study shows that inert materials play an important role in accumulating and releasing heat, promoting better thermal stability of the firebox and reducing energy losses, particularly during simmering. Pot size 3 exhibits the shortest overall boiling times, reflecting a better geometric fit with the firebox. These results confirm that the integration of inert materials is an effective strategy for improving charcoal cooking fires.
References
[1]
Bailis, R., Berrueta, V., Chengappa, C., Dutta, K., Edwards, R., Masera, O., et al. (2007) Performance Testing for Monitoring Improved Biomass Stove Interventions: Experiences of the Household Energy and Health Project. Energy for Sustainable Development, 11, 57-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0973-0826(08)60400-7
[2]
De Lepeleire, G. and Christiaens, M. (1983) Heat Transfer and Cooking Woodstove Modelling. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences Section C: Engineering Sciences, 6, 35-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02843289
[3]
Honkalaskar, V.H., Bhandarkar, U.V. and Sohoni, M. (2013) Development of a Fuel Efficient Cookstove through a Participatory Bottom-Up Approach. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 3, Article No. 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/2192-0567-3-16
[4]
Prasad, K.U., Iqbal, M.A. and Urry, D.W. (1985) Utilization of 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole in Mixed Anhydride Coupling Reactions. International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research, 25, 408-413. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3011.1985.tb02193.x
[5]
Randhawa, G. and Arora, S. (2016) An Insight into Conceptualization of Quality of Work Life. Pacific Business Review International, 8, 93-99.
[6]
Kassahun, T. and Alemu, D. (2022) Thermal Efficiency Improvement of Biomass Cookstoves. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 3, 19-36.
[7]
Darlami, H.B., Ale, B.B. and Pokharel, G.R. (2020) Experimental Analysis of Thermal Efficiency of Mud Improved Cookstove with Variation of Different Parameters and Economic Analysis. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 15, 385-392. https://doi.org/10.3126/jie.v15i3.32228
[8]
Obeng, G.Y., Mensah, E. and Opoku, R. (2021) Fabricators and End-Users of Single-Pot Biomass Stoves: Conceptualizing, Hypothesis and Performance Metrics for Developing Energy Sustainability Framework. Sustainability, 13, Article 7098. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137098
[9]
Atajafari, H., Pathak, B.R. and Bhandari, R. (2024) Thermal Performance Evaluation of a Single-Mouth Improved Cookstove: Theoretical Approach Compared with Experimental Data. Energies, 17, Article 4355. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174355
[10]
Ouedraogo, D., Sawadogo, G.L., Kabore, B., Sana, A. and Igo, S.W. (2026) Experimental Assessment of the Thermal Efficiency of an Improved Biomass Cookstove Fueled by Charcoal and Wood: Influence of Cooking Pot Size under Water Boiling Test Conditions. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 16, 111-123. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2026/v16i55425
[11]
Mekonnen, B.A. (2022) Thermal Efficiency Improvement and Emission Reduction Potential by Adopting Improved Biomass Cookstoves for Sauce-Cooking Process in Rural Ethiopia. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 38, Article ID: 102315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2022.102315
[12]
Deng, M., Zhang, P., Yang, H. and Ma, R. (2023) Directions to Improve the Thermal Efficiency of Household Biomass Cookstoves: A Review. Energy and Buildings, 278, Article ID: 112625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112625
[13]
Modi, B., Timilsina, H., Bhandari, S., Achhami, A., Pakka, S., Shrestha, P., et al. (2021) Current Trends of Food Analysis, Safety, and Packaging. International Journal of Food Science, 2021, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9924667
[14]
Vitoussia, T., Brillard, A., Bertsch, J., Allgaier, O., Leyssens, G., Sch？nnenbeck, C., et al. (2021) Analysis and Modeling of the Thermal Behavior of an Improved Pellet Cookstove. SN Applied Sciences, 3, Article No. 652. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04630-4
[15]
Destaw, F., Birhanu, A. and Gurmessa, A. (2025) Performance Evaluation of Improved Biomass Cookstoves Used in Gambella Refugee Camps, Southwest Ethiopia. Discover Energy, 5, Article No. 39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-025-00101-8
[16]
Tanoh, T.S., Kpai, N.N., Sidibe, S.D.S. and Sawadogo, M. (2017) étude de l’influence de la taille de la marmite sur l’efficacité énergétique d’un foyer amélioré de type ménage. Afrique SCIENCE, 13, 284-291.
[17]
Boureima, D., Adéla？de, O.L., Abdoulaye, C., Estelle, Z.W., Sié, K. and Bathiébo, D.J. (2024) Experimental Study of Improved Cookstove with Primary and Secondary Sources. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 23, 907-917. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.1.2058
[18]
Muralidharan, V., Sussan, T., Limaye, S., Koehler, K., Williams, D., Rule, A., et al. (2015) Field Testing of Alternative Cookstove Performance in a Rural Setting of Western India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12, 1773-1787. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120201773
[19]
Okafor, I.F. and Unachukwu, G.O. (2012) Performance Evaluation of Nozzle Type Improved Wood Cook Stove. American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 6, 195-203.
[20]
Amou, K.A., Sagna, K., N’witcha, K., Saa, T. and Napo, K. (2018) Study and Design of an Improved Clay Conical Stove. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 9, 29909-29915.
[21]
Berrueta, V.M., Edwards, R.D. and Masera, O.R. (2008) Energy Performance of Wood-Burning Cookstoves in Michoacan, Mexico. Renewable Energy, 33, 859-870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2007.04.016
[22]
Bailis, R., Ogle, D., MacCarty, N., Smith, K.R. and Edwards, R. (2007) The Water Boiling Test (WBT). 38 p. https://energypedia.info/images/3/38/Wbt_version_3.0_jan2007.pdf
[23]
Jetter, J., Zhao, Y., Smith, K.R., Khan, B., Yelverton, T., DeCarlo, P., et al. (2012) Pollutant Emissions and Energy Efficiency under Controlled Conditions for Household Biomass Cookstoves and Implications for Metrics Useful in Setting International Test Standards. Environmental Science & Technology, 46, 10827-10834. https://doi.org/10.1021/es301693f
[24]
Kshirsagar, M.P. and Kalamkar, V.R. (2014) A Comprehensive Review on Biomass Cookstoves and a Systematic Approach for Modern Cookstove Design. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 30, 580-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.10.039
[25]
Mekonnen, B.A., Ambushe, A.A. and Addisu, A. (2022) Performance Evaluation of Improved Biomass Cookstoves: A Review on Efficiency and Emission Reduction. Energy for Sustainable Development, 69, 1-12.
