Fabricators and End-Users of Single-Pot Biomass Stoves: Conceptualizing, Hypothesis and Performance Metrics for Developing Energy Sustainability Framework

George Yaw Obeng, Ebenezer Mensah and Richard Opoku
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George Yaw Obeng: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi PMB KNUST, Ghana
Ebenezer Mensah: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi PMB KNUST, Ghana
Richard Opoku: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi PMB KNUST, Ghana

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: In this study, interviewer-based questionnaires of 67 variables were administered to local fabricators and end-users of single-pot biomass stoves (SPBS) in Ghana. Additionally, two randomly selected traditional and improved SPBS were lab-tested using standard performance metrics. From the study, the relationship between fabricators and end-users was conceptualized based on selected indicators and assumptions. The study results indicated that the primary design resources for fabrication were patterns and templates, and that major challenges to fabrication were lack of training in design principles, standards and safety, poor emission efficiency and financial sustainability. Whereas end-users of improved SPBS were less affected by heat and smoke, end-users of traditional SPBS were mostly affected. From hypothesis test, because the calculated χ2 cal = 24.05, and is greater than the tabulated χ2 crit = 3.841, it is concluded that there is a relationship between heat, smoke effect and gender, and that female end-users of traditional SPBS were particularly affected during cooking. The traditional SPBS emitted more CO 2 and CO than improved SPBS. Comparatively, 38% more end-users of traditional SPBS observed charcoal ash residue in the cooking area than improved SPBS users. Four basic practices of managing ashes from SPBS are developed. Finally, a fabricator and end-user framework are developed for energy sustainability and quality improvement.

Keywords: local fabricators; end-users; single-pot biomass stoves; energy and emissions; sustainability framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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