Design and Development of a Batch Waste Biomass Stove for Sustainable Cooking in Rural Kenya

Dependence on fossil fuels and wood in rural Kenya, which contributes to deforestation and increased greenhouse gas emissions, must be addressed immediately. Waste biomass is being investigated as a viable alternative, providing a potential fix for the urgent wood reliance issue and climate change. However, common biomass stoves still have shortcomings in that they discharge more flue gases into the environment due to incomplete combustion, and use charcoal as fuel. This study proposes the development of a unique batch biomass stove in the pursuit of cleaner, more effective cooking methods. Various biomass materials are investigated under different stove configurations that involve variation of primary and secondary air holes. High thermal efficiency of 67.1% for bagasse pellets and 68% for coconut husks was achieved during a standard water boiling test. A noteworthy byproduct of the stove is valuable biochar, which may be used to improve soil fertility, effluent color and odor removal, and promote sustainability. These results not only demonstrate the potential of waste biomass as a substitute energy source but also signal the beginning of environmentally friendly cooking methods and soil improvement in rural Kenya. In essence, this research represents a crucial step toward balancing human needs with environmental well-being and paves the way for a day when efficiency, environmental consciousness, and soil enrichment naturally combine.