Biomass cookstoves: A review of technical aspects and recent advances

Abstract

The global increase in population coupled with poor access to clean energy has set pressure on solid fuel use. Through this, about one-third of the world’s population currently relies on solid fuels (fuelwood, charcoal, coal, agro-residues, dung, etc.) in meeting their primary energy needs. However, only 11% of this population used improved biomass cookstoves (cookstoves with potential reductions in fuel use and toxic emissions). This is more peculiar to developing countries where cooking accounts for about 90% of domestic energy consumption. With this, research on cookstoves technology has increased in recent years as about 1905 articles have been reportedly published in less than a decade (2014–2022). This paper aims at bringing together literature spanning over a decade with a focus on the technical aspects of biomass cookstoves to establish the recent advances and current state of knowledge. Literature on different biomass cookstoves designs, operational features, and testing protocols have been reviewed. An overview of various cookstove performances was critically discussed with emphasis on thermal and emission performance. Having looked at the literature, pathways for future studies were recommended. This includes the incorporation of social factors such as end users’ perceptions in the design and development phase. This will not just enhance the design process but may influence the cookstove adoption. Others are developing similitudes of the traditional models but in improved forms using locally available materials, as well as models that operate with solid and liquid biofuels.