Efficiency and emission characteristics of two Zambia cookstoves using charcoal and coal briquettes

摘要

The emission characteristics of charcoal and coal briquettes in two Zambia household cookstoves were evaluated using an improved chamber method. The two domestic appliances were the traditional mbaula and the newly developed ceramic stove, referred to as the clay stove. Emission factors for pollutants, burn rate and thermal efficiency were monitored. The pollutants tested were carbon monoxide (CO), respirable suspended particulates (RSP), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO(sub 2)) and sulphur dioxide (SO(sub 2)). Results showed high CO levels with charcoal in both stoves. However, coal briquettes emitted more sulphur, RSP and NO(sub x) than charcoal in both stoves, a reflection of the physico-chemical features of the briquettes. Furthermore, the concentration of pollutants during combustion in the test room were usually in excess if international indoor standards. Both appliances exhibited similar energy efficiencies from the combustion of charcoal, whereas the clay stove performed better with coal briquettes than with charcoal. The results also showed that there is room for improvement especially in the design of the ceramic stove and the quality of coal briquettes.