Performance of a Score-Stove with a Kerosene Burner and the Effect of Pressurization of the Working Fluid

Abstract

Score-Stove TM a clean-burning cooking stove that also generates electricity was tested using a pressurized kerosene burner. The Score-Stove works on the principle of thermo-acoustics to generate small-scale electricity. The device having hot-end, cold-end and regenerator acts in a way similar to a stirling cycle generating acoustic power, which is then converted to electricity using a linear actuator. It can supply small power for applications such as LED lighting, mobile phone charging and radios particularly in rural areas without grid electricity as well as improving household air pollution. After assessing the needs of the rural communities through a survey, tea-stalls and small restaurants owners were identified as clients with the most potential of using the stove in Bangladesh. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology ((BUET) modified a Score-Stove to use both wood and a pressurized kerosene burner of a design that is widely used for cooking in rural areas of Bangladesh. The design was adapted to meet performance needs such as: heating rate, cooking efficiency, energy distribution, electric power generation, exhaust emissions and time taken to boil water using standardized water boiling tests. Performance was also compared with conventional (non-electrically generating) stoves that use a pressurized kerosene burner. The Score-Stove performance was then evaluated while increasing the pressure of the sealed working fluid (air in this case) from atmospheric to about 1.4 bar. The pressurization was found to almost double the power generation. An arrangement for utilizing cooling water waste heat was also devised in order to improve the thermal performance of the stove by 18%. Technical deficiencies are documented and recommendations for improvements and future research in order to obtain wider end-user acceptance are made.