Log in or register to follow or vote for this project.
Haiti is commonly regarded as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with a GDP per capita of only $1,300 (PPP). Many Haitians utilize charcoal and wood as their primary cooking fuel. This has led to extensive deforestation, and the diminishing supply has led to steady increases the charcoal price, which puts more economical pressure on low income Haitians. Furthermore, current stoves are highly fuel inefficient leading to high fuel consumption and also high emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). This has led to higher cost of living for Haitians and a deterioration of their health respectively.
Our stove project tackles the current problem by designing efficient, low-cost gasification stoves and setting up biomass fuel supply chains. Through the use of human-centered design methods, the stoves are designed from the ground up with good ergonomics and cultural acceptance.
The technology is based on Top-Lit Updraft Gasification. Biomass is pyrolysed within the stove and the process results in the production of wood gas, which is cleanly combusted much like an LPG stove. The fuel inside is turned to charcoal, which can be used for additional cooking.
High quality fuels are essential to the cooking experience. To reduce Haiti's reliance on wood, the team plans to utilize sugarcane bagasse from a sugarcane mill in Darbonne to produce pellets that result in clean burning, high density fuel.
Future Vision after Pilot:
The stoves will be institutional and priced in the $80-$100 . The stoves will be manufactured within Haitian metal workshops to keep profits within country and to stimulate job creation. Training of local artisans in the repair and maintenance of the stoves will be done to ensure prolonged durability of the stoves.