Development of a wood-fired cooking stove to incorporate a thermo-acoustic engine-generator unit

Abstract

Citation: Dennis, R. and Pullen, K. R. (2013). Development of a wood-fired cooking stove to incorporate a thermo-acoustic engine-generator unit. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 227(7), pp. 740-751. doi: 10.1177/0957650913498735 This is the unspecified version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent AbstractThe provision of affordable electrical power in off-grid rural areas of developing countries is a major challenge but a vital element in the battle to reduce poverty. In response to this need, the SCORE project objective was to integrate a novel technology, thermo-acoustics, into a domestic cooking stove in order to produce an adequate level of electricity supply for families in developing countries whilst also providing efficient cooking. The unit is aimed at the majority of poorer families in developing countries that do not have access to electricity and have little hope of being connected to grid electricity in the near future. The electrical generation function is a vital driver in the adoption of low emissions stoves which significantly reduce health problems from smoke inhalation. This paper describes the design of the cooking part of the stove developed within the framework of the project.Within the wood burning stove, heat released by combustion is first transferred to a thermo-acoustic engine (TAE) to generate electricity, and then to the cooking part. The paper describes the development of the design and construction of the stove to meet the above objectives. This has been progressed through extensive testing of prototype stoves and also through modelling of the heat transfer within the combustion chamber and also for the cooking part of the stoveThe paper presents and compares the results from the test programme and heat transfer modelling and shows how the results are being used to achieve a stove design with an acceptable level of performance. It then concludes with a discussion of how this design might be produced in developing countries.

Asymmetrically heated multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator

“…Thermoacoustic engines can be integrated into efficient wood cooking stoves to provide electricity while cooking [39], but the output and efficiency have to date proven to be too low [32]. Recent social science studies have suggested that an ideal system would generate about 100 W of electrical energy and cost less than $100, and even 20 W conveys considerable benefits [40].…”

The reaction of rural families in Kenya to technology changes

“…City University (one of the consortium members) has developed a highly efficient stove, called SCORE-1, as described by Dennis and Pullen. 5 This stove incorporates the outcome of research on the combustion chamber design. Practical Action has tested this stove design in Kenya and Nepal as part of its research and dissemination activities in the field 6 and has promoted other improved stove designs.…”