Sundberg, Cecilia
- Institutionen för energi och teknik, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Sammanfattning
A majority of households in sub-Saharan Africa use inefficient biomass stoves in poorly ventilated kitchens, leading to indoor air pollution. Biomass for cooking can be sustainably sourced from agricultural residues such as prunings from agroforestry. This study assessed biochar-producing gasifier cookstove performance among 150 households in Embu, Kwale, and Siaya Counties through household surveys and participatory cooking tests with 75 households. With the gasifier, carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were lower in Embu (5.1 ppm), while carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were lower in Kwale, at 588 ppm and 136 mu g/m3, respectively. Compared to the three-stone open fire, reductions in CO and PM2.5 concentrations were highest in Embu, at 82% and 97%, respectively. The biomass-to-char conversion efficiency with the gasifier was 17-18%. If households consider the produced char as a soil amendment, they could save 24-43% of fuel compared to the three-stone open fire; if the char is seen as fuel, the potential savings are 42-65%. Significant differences between the three sites were observed with the gasifier for gross and net fuel use, and for concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2. Gasifier uptake can reduce the need for fuel collection and indoor air pollution, with a positive impact on both the environment and human wellbeing.
Nyckelord
biochar; charcoal; cooking energy use efficiency; firewood; biochar producing gasifier cookstove; indoor air pollution
Publicerad i
Sustainability
2025, volym: 17, nummer: 13, artikelnummer: 5872
Utgivare: MDPI
SLU författare
Globala målen (SDG)
SDG2 Ingen hunger
SDG7 Hållbar energi för alla
UKÄ forskningsämne
Miljövetenskap
Bioenergi
Publikationens identifierare
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135872
Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143127