An analysis of combustion from a top-lit up-draft (TLUD) cookstove

• Main Authors: Cristian Birzer, Paul Medwell, Josh Wilkey, Tomas West, Matthew Higgins, Gregory MacFarlane, Matthew Read
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Engineers Without Borders Australia 2013-08-01
• Series: Journal of Humanitarian Engineering
• Online Access: http://jhe.ewb.org.au/index.php/jhe/article/view/11

It is estimated that three billion people worldwide cook with traditional stoves. These stoves generaly consist of three stones and an open fire, and produce harmful emissions that are known to cause fatal illnesses. Traditional stoves claim the lives of 1.6 million people every year and cause the death of more children under the age of five than any other single cause. In addition, widespread land degradation and deforestation have resulted from inefficient fuel consumption of traditional stoves. This paper presents some results from an extensive investigation into design and experimental evalation of top-lit up-draft (TLUD) microgasifier cookstoves aimed at addressing problems associated with traditional cooking approaches. Results indicate that geometric variations of the stove and fuel size influence burn rates and emissions production, and must therefore be considered for any design and implementation.