Performance evaluation and emission characterisation of three kerosene stoves using a Heterogeneous Stove Testing Protocol (HTP)

The combustion of kerosene fuel in poorly designed cookstoves is a major domestic source of poor indoor air quality and burn injuries in the developing world. It is argued that these challenges are best addressed by the development and dissemination of clean, safe and efficient cookstoves. In this study, three kerosene stoves including two wick stoves and one pressurised stove were tested for thermal performance and CO gas emissions using the Heterogeneous stove Testing Protocol (HTP) developed at the SeTAR Centre, University of Johannesburg. Results from the testing showed that the diameter of the pot had little effect on the performance of the tested kerosene stoves in terms of CO emissions, but it did have an effect on the thermal efficiency at the . high power setting. Power setting was found to influence the thermal efficiency and combustion performance of all stoves tested, indicating the need for assessment of the appliances across the full range of power settings (where feasible). The pressurised stove had lower CO emissions compared with the wick stoves. Conversely, the wick stoves depicted lower specific times to boil water and higher fuel efficiencies. These results provide essential information to stove designers, regulators and authorities interested in the dissemination of improved kerosene stoves. The variation of emissions and performance across the power band may be useful for improving national standards by correctly characterising novel technologies and improving the design of existing appliances under different operating conditions. Implications of improved kerosene stoves are improved health, improved access to modern energy, reduced fuel consumption and a reduction in energy poverty. © 2012 International Energy Initiative.