Effect of Burner Type on Thermal Efficiency and Emission of LPG Cookstoves

Abstract

In this work, we investigated the thermal efficiency and emission of four types of LPG cookstove: conventional radial flow slotted burner (CB), new swirl flow burner (NB), radiant burner (RB) and swirling central flame burner (SB). The German Standards (DIN EN 203-2 and DIN EN 203-1) were used in this study. It was found that the maximum thermal efficiency of SB type was about 66%, and its value was the highest when compared to the conventional CB, NB and RB types, of which the values were 51%, 59% and 53%, respectively. This can be attributed to the swirl-enhancement of effective heat transfer and impinging resident time of hot flue gas onto the pot bottom. Simultaneously, we measured and estimated the emission of CO₂, CO and NO_x from these LPG cookstoves and the obtained concentrations were converted to Environmental Load Unit (ELU) per MJ of both input and useful energy, which can be used for comparing the detrimental impact of these stoves to the environment. It was found that the total emissions from the SB type were the lowest. The occupational and health aspects of these LPG cookstoves were also determined under conditions of with and without ventilation.