New tech stoves save wood fuel
Apr 24, 2005
The majority of the Ugandans use the traditional three-stone-open fire in poorly ventilated kitchens, which leads to high levels of indoor air pollution.
By Helmut Raehlmann and Philippe Simonis
The majority of the Ugandans use the traditional three-stone-open fire in poorly ventilated kitchens, which leads to high levels of indoor air pollution. The population heavily relies on biomass (firewood, charcoal and crop residues) as a source of energy, which constitutes over 90% of the energy consumption. Smoke exposure affects mainly women, and children who are exposed when they are carried on their mother’s backs during cooking.
To reduce exposure to indoor air pollution with the support of the German Technical Cooperation, the energy efficient Rocket Lorena Stove was designed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and is disseminated by Integrated Rural Development Initiatives (IRDI).
The projects in Kanungu, Kabale and Mbale districts aim at reduction of fuel consumption and improving the cooking environment through the Lorena Stove.
The stove is built using local materials like clay, anthill soil, sand and sawdust or cow dung. The insulator around and the combustion chamber prevent heat losses and ensure that the hot gases reach 90% of the saucepan’s surface area. This results in a saving of 40 to 50% of the firewood, which reduces smoke and protects the environment. The improved stove adequately designed, installed and maintained, is effective in reducing smoke because of better combustion, lower emission levels and potentially shorter cooking times. The chimney ensures the removal of smoke out of the kitchen by up to 70%. The stove has been proven economical in firewood consumption with an average efficiency of 30% compared to the traditional fireplace at 15%.
The project created awareness through workshops among the districts and the communities about environment conservation and the use of clean energy sources.
In Kanungu, 450 people in 15 sub-counties have been trained in construction and maintenance of the stove. The trained farmers have also trained other community members. So far, 1,500 households have adopted the stove and have appreciated the advantages of saving firewood, smokeless operation and affordability of the stove.
People got training on the interventions to reduce indoor air pollution. In Nsangi project, the local artisans were trained in the construction and installation of hoods and chimneys. A fuel-efficient kiln was constructed for firing the Upesi portable clay stoves. Women groups were trained in the production and marketing of the Upesi stove. This has generated income for the women.
Awareness creation towards a change in “user behaviour†was emphasised to reduce the exposure to smoke. Women were trained to use fuel wood and pot lids, which decrease smoke pollution and the time women need for cooking. Keeping children away from smoke emission, reduces exposure of this most vulnerable age group to health-damaging pollutants. People were trained to improve the kitchen by inserting windows. These have contributed significantly to reduction of exposure to smoke.
Ends
The majority of the Ugandans use the traditional three-stone-open fire in poorly ventilated kitchens, which leads to high levels of indoor air pollution. The population heavily relies on biomass (firewood, charcoal and crop residues) as a source of energy, which constitutes over 90% of the energy consumption. Smoke exposure affects mainly women, and children who are exposed when they are carried on their mother’s backs during cooking.
To reduce exposure to indoor air pollution with the support of the German Technical Cooperation, the energy efficient Rocket Lorena Stove was designed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and is disseminated by Integrated Rural Development Initiatives (IRDI).
The projects in Kanungu, Kabale and Mbale districts aim at reduction of fuel consumption and improving the cooking environment through the Lorena Stove.
The stove is built using local materials like clay, anthill soil, sand and sawdust or cow dung. The insulator around and the combustion chamber prevent heat losses and ensure that the hot gases reach 90% of the saucepan’s surface area. This results in a saving of 40 to 50% of the firewood, which reduces smoke and protects the environment. The improved stove adequately designed, installed and maintained, is effective in reducing smoke because of better combustion, lower emission levels and potentially shorter cooking times. The chimney ensures the removal of smoke out of the kitchen by up to 70%. The stove has been proven economical in firewood consumption with an average efficiency of 30% compared to the traditional fireplace at 15%.
The project created awareness through workshops among the districts and the communities about environment conservation and the use of clean energy sources.
In Kanungu, 450 people in 15 sub-counties have been trained in construction and maintenance of the stove. The trained farmers have also trained other community members. So far, 1,500 households have adopted the stove and have appreciated the advantages of saving firewood, smokeless operation and affordability of the stove.
People got training on the interventions to reduce indoor air pollution. In Nsangi project, the local artisans were trained in the construction and installation of hoods and chimneys. A fuel-efficient kiln was constructed for firing the Upesi portable clay stoves. Women groups were trained in the production and marketing of the Upesi stove. This has generated income for the women.
Awareness creation towards a change in “user behaviour†was emphasised to reduce the exposure to smoke. Women were trained to use fuel wood and pot lids, which decrease smoke pollution and the time women need for cooking. Keeping children away from smoke emission, reduces exposure of this most vulnerable age group to health-damaging pollutants. People were trained to improve the kitchen by inserting windows. These have contributed significantly to reduction of exposure to smoke.
Ends