Impact of co-firing a traditional Peruvian biomass cookstove with biogas on emissions and combustion efficiency

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the impact of co-firing a traditional Peruvian biomass cookstove with biogas on emissions and on combustion efficiency. The impact of using a fan to increase the airflow into the combustion zone with was also assessed. The cookstove was tested (1) without co-firing and without the fan, (2) with co-firing and without the fan, (3) without co-firing and with the fan and (4) with co-firing and with the fan. Time-resolved measurements of the concentrations of CO, CO₂ and particulate matter were measured during each test. These data were used with measurement of the temperature of the water in the cooking pot and with measurement of the mass of water that evaporated during the test to calculate various cookstove performance parameters. Results obtained in this study indicate that using a fan and co-firing the cookstove with biogas improves performance. Compared to the baseline, (2), (3), and (4) reduced CO emissions by 32%, 35%, and 58%, respectively. Particulate emissions were reduced by 33%, 39%, and 71%, and the modified combustion efficiency increased by 1.3%, 1.1%, and 2.8%, respectively. These results suggest that relatively simple modifications significantly improve indoor air quality in homes where these stoves are used and reduce the impact use of this stove has on the environment.