Design, development and technological advancement in the biomass cookstoves: A review

The use of biomass resources for cooking and heating is as old as the origin of human civilization due to the fact that biomass is available almost everywhere and can be burnt directly. Biomass accounts for a large fraction of the domestic energy needs in the developing countries. However, very often biomass is burnt inefficiently in open three-stone fire and traditional cookstoves for cooking and heating applications which causes severe health problems in women and children and also affects the environment. Many efforts have been made worldwide to increase the dissemination of improved cookstove but have not succeeded in their targets. The new cookstove dissemination programs can be funded through carbon revenue and other funding organizations; further these funds can be utilized for further R&D and cookstove market. The successful cookstove dissemination programs can lead to the sustainable development of the rural areas besides helping in the commercialization of cookstove. Therefore, this article presents the review on the design, development, and technological advancement of biomass cookstoves and the effects of traditional biomass burning devices on the emission, health hazard, and environmental pollution. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.