Modelling the performance potential of forced and natural-draft biomass cookstoves using a hybrid Entropy-TOPSIS approach

Improved biomass cookstoves have become significantly important as a major technological intervention to aid in the efficient use of biomass fuels. However, the transfer of such technologies to end users do not match the quantity of designs churned out to the market. This study therefore develops a new framework that simultaneously integrates technical, economic, social/public health and environmental factors in assessing the performance potential of biomass cookstoves. Experiments were conducted to determine 13 performance indicators of 20 (forced and natural draft) improved biomass cookstoves and application of the developed methodological framework indicated two main findings: (1) The forced draft cookstoves ranked better with technical and environmental factors while the natural draft cookstoves ranked better with economic and social/public health factors; (2) Considering all four performance indicators simultaneously, the natural draft cookstoves ranked better than the forced draft cookstoves. The results are of significant relevance to governments and organisations for identification of technological designs that should be improved or implemented from a sustainability perspective.

Automated summary

Improved biomass cookstoves play a significant role in enhancing the efficiency of biomass fuel use. A new framework developed in this study integrates technical, economic, social/public health, and environmental factors to assess the performance potential of biomass cookstoves. Experiment results indicate that natural draft cookstoves perform better in economic and social/public health factors, while forced draft cookstoves rank higher in technical and environmental aspects.