Ethanol briquettes as clean cooking alternative in Malawi

Access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy is one of the greatest challenges people in Malawi are facing today. Ethanol briquettes are a viable source of energy for cooking instead of charcoal. In this paper, combustion containers were designed, fabricated and retrofitted with Chitetezo Mbaula and Kenya Ceramic Jiko stoves. Re-sults of ethanol briquettes calorimetry showed 37.4 MJ/kg and 36.1 MJ/kg for high and low heating values respec-tively. Boiling 1 L of distilled water was faster in Chitetezo Mbaula because ethanol briquettes contributed to high stove firepower. Controlled cooking tests showed no significant differences in the time taken to cook a meal in all the stoves and fuel combinations. However, the specific fuel consumptions and the rate of emissions were signif-icant at a 95% confidence level. Finally, the release of carbon monoxide and particulate matter from ethanol bri-quettes were below the World Health Organization benchmarks of 0.07 g/min and 0.15 mg/min, respectively.(c) 2022 International Energy Initiative. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Ethanol briquettes present a viable alternative to charcoal for cooking in Malawi. The design and retrofitting of combustion containers make them suitable for use with ethanol briquettes. The experimental results demonstrate higher calorific values for ethanol briquettes and faster boiling time in the stove. However, significant differences exist in fuel consumption and emission rates.