DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A BIOMASS STOVE WITH FORCED CONVECTION FOR COOKING IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS IN NIGERIA

The persistent reliance on traditional biomass combustion technology, especially open fire cooking techniques, poses excessive health, environmental, and economic challenges in rural settlements throughout Nigeria. These rudimentary stoves are characterized by using terrible thermal performance, excessive fuel intake, and dangerous smoke emissions, contributing to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and respiratory sicknesses, especially among ladies and kids. This research seeks to deal with those problems through the design, creation, and overall performance assessment of an improved biomass stove this is strength-green, cost-powerful, and appropriate for rural families. A rocket stove was constructed using mild steel, locally available insulation, and a simple pot-support system. It had a cylindrical combustion chamber, a flame concentrator, a pot skirt for enhanced radiation exchange, as well as fiber insulation for minimized heat loss. A centrifugal air pump was used to control airflow, and engineering calculations guided fuel burning rate, heat exchange, and material size in order to address realistic cooking requirements. Fabrication used basic metalworking techniques such as; cutting, rolling, welding, and assembly. Performance was evaluated with the Water Boiling Test (WBT) over three trials, measuring thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, burn rate, charcoal yield, and boiling time. The improved stove completed a thermal efficiency of 14.22%, a specific gas intake of 0.158 kg/L, and a mean boiling time of 15 minutes for 2.5 liters of water. The charcoal yield turned into 16.9%, indicating partial combustion and capability for secondary gasoline reuse. Comparative analysis revealed that the prototype outperformed conventional three-stone fires in all fundamental categories at the same time as ultimate extra low cost and simpler to manufacture than industrial gasifier stoves. The stove’s value was estimated at approximately ₦40,000–₦50,000 making it handy to rural families. Similarly theoretical frameworks and literature opinions highlighted that similar interventions have yielded high quality socio-monetary and environmental advantages in different low-income areas. However, this observes additionally diagnosed key boundaries, which includes the absence of emission information and brief-time period checking out situations. Recommendations for future work include enhancing combustion efficiency thru secondary air systems, incorporating emissions tracking, and engaging in long-term period field testing with end-consumer feedback. In conclusion, the advanced biomass stove represents a practical and solution for enhancing energy access in rural Nigeria. It aligns with countrywide and worldwide desires related to smooth strength, environmental conservation, and public health. By integrating engineering principles with local materials and needs, this study demonstrates that impactful innovation can be done without high-cost technologies ultimately empowering groups with cleaner and greener cooking alternatives.