Burn Design Lab

Over the past few months, we have been hard at work testing methods to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions produced by the Jikokoa charcoal stove.

The Jikokoa, which is manufactured in Kenya and sold across East Africa by BURN Manufacturing Co., is an “improved cookstove” that reduces toxic emissions by over 60% relative to traditional charcoal stoves in the region. However, while the reduction in CO exposure means that the Jikokoa is an improvement for most families, there remains room to further minimize emissions.

CO is a product of incomplete combustion. Typically, complete combustion results in the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor. However, if the carbon contained in fuel does not combine with the appropriate amount of oxygen, at a sufficiently high temperature and for a long enough time, then CO is formed instead of CO2.

The current generation of Jikokoa (Jikokoa-Xtra) is categorized as “Tier 1” in CO emissions. Our objective for the Extended Life Stove project is to reduce Jikokoa CO emissions to Tier 2. Specifically, this means that we need to reduce emissions by a further 25-30%. One of the main motivations for achieving Tier 2 status – environmental and health benefits aside – is a potential SNV Smart Development Works financial incentive available in East Africa for stoves that achieve Tier 2 that would offset the cost of building the stove.

Since our last update, we have designed and tested prototypes that investigate different ways of increasing the time and air available for the reaction to take place. So far, we have made incremental progress; but even in the absence of a major breakthrough, we have gained valuable insight into how best to tackle this issue.

– Joe Gilmour