Micro-gasification: Cooking with gas from biomass - Amper

Micro-gasification: Cooking with gas from dry biomass
LuciaStoves (Italy)
Nathaniel Mulcahy from WorldStove has designed various top-lit pyrolytic gasifier cookstoves
that are all based on a draft principle that is referred to as the ‗LuciaStove‘-principle.
Therefore different models all get summarised under the term ‗LuciaStoves‘. All provide the
option for ‗carbon-negative‘ cooking if the inert char created is taken out of the carbon-cycle
by adding it to the soil. More details on http://worldstove.com/about-2/why-pyrolytic-stoves/ .
The stoves are designed for industrial mass production and local assembly. WorldStove
offers concepts and training programs for stoves based on the Lucia principle, with the focus
to set up micro industries in communities. WorldStove constructs the base components
and then works with local liaison partners to set up small manufacturing plants. These
plants do not require welding, riveting or drilling. They serve as a skill-based income generating
activity for the community. WorldStove provides instructions and guides for assembly
of additional stove parts and will work with local groups to set up the plant, and to adapt the
LuciaStove to local cooking needs. As a single-item, the Beaner backpacker stove is available
(see next section 2.2 on Campstoves). The factory-finished example for developing
nations is intended for lots of 500 or more. For bigger numbers, the price drops significantly.
Other models are shown on the website.
Name of stove: LUCIA stoves for developing nations
Country: Italy
Target area: Export worldwide
Fuel type: Most dry small-chunky biomass
Designed by: Nathaniel Mulcahy, WorldStove
Retail price: Set by local dealers or producers
Numbers sold: Over 10,000 in 2010 alone
Start of production: 2003
Manufactured by: WorldStove
Contact: Electronic contact form: http://worldstove.com/contact-us/
Address: 290 North Pleasant ST Amherst MA 01002 USA
Production capac- Geared at mass production: 32 aluminium stove tops per minute or
ity:
8,000 ‗origami‘ versions of the LuciaStove in 40 work hours
Short Description: Width 270 mm, Length 270 mm, Height 333 mm, Weight depends on
mode. Power output can be regulated through fan speed.
Biomass feed rate: On low setting 300 g fuel can give 1,25 h cooking
time, on high setting it can burn 1,5kg per hour.
Features: Injection-molded high precision basic components to ensure optimal
combustion. Different components shown in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zefrhc8kgM&feature=related
Fan powered AC and DC versions available.
Handling: Fuel filled from the top, lit with some fire starter from the top. Fuel
can be added while cooking. Char removed by tipping the stove.
Char-making: Very good in pyrolytic mode. Produces pH-neutral char and can be
tuned for density, pore size and nitrogen content of the char.
User feedback: Can use little fuel, optimal with windshield and strong pot-support
Accidents reported: None known.
Further info: http://worldstove.com/products/luciastove-for-developing-nations/
(source of photo)
HERA – GIZ Manual Micro-gasification Version 1.01 January 2011
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