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A user-centered, iterative engineering approach for advanced biomass cookstove design and development.
Ming Shan1, Ellison Carter2, Jill Baumgartner2,3
1Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Environmental Research Letters : ERL [Web Site]
|October 13, 2023
Summary
Developing cleaner cookstoves requires user-centered design. This iterative approach led to a successful semi-gasifier biomass cookstove, improving household air pollution and health in rural China.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health Engineering
- Biomass Energy Technologies
- Human-Centered Design
Background:
- Household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel combustion causes significant health issues globally.
- Traditional stoves lack efficiency and contribute to severe indoor air pollution.
- Semi-gasifier cookstoves offer a cleaner alternative but require user-centric design for adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a user-centered, iterative semi-gasifier biomass cookstove for rural Chinese homes.
- To integrate technical performance with user preferences and local contexts.
- To ensure long-term adoption and market penetration of clean cookstove technology.
Main Methods:
- Iterative engineering design process involving five prototypes.
- Evaluation of energy markets, policy, laboratory, and field performance.
- Incorporation of direct user feedback and assessment of cooking practices.
Main Results:
- The final prototype achieved high thermal efficiency (ISO Tier 3) and low pollutant emissions (ISO Tier 4).
- 88% of users reported using the stove at least once initially.
- Sustained use was observed, with 68% of stoves used on average at five months post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- A user-centered, iterative design strategy is crucial for successful clean cookstove development.
- This approach can lead to high-performing, well-accepted biomass cookstoves.
- The methodology is applicable to cookstove initiatives in China and globally.
