Energy performance of cookstoves and emission factors in rural areas of Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains (EIGP)

Abstract

Biomass consumption, energy performance of cookstoves and emission factor of cattle dung cake, used as a main source of energy, in EIGP was evaluated. Average biomass consumption was recorded as 2.46 kg/capita/day indicating 1.5-fold higher fuel consumption in the region compared to other parts of the country. Use of improved cookstove could, however, save 13% biomass use compared to traditional stove besides 32.5 kJ of energy for cooking of one kg of food. On average, 56.70–67.75 kJ of human energy is required to prepare one kg of cattle dung cake. Of the total energy requirements, women folk contribute the maximum (>45%), followed by male counterpart (>30%) and rest is shared by children of 9–12 years of age. Labour energy expenditure was, however, significantly low for cattle dung cake preparation compared to energy involved in firewood collection. Emission factors for hazardous gaseous pollutants ranged from 464.30–548.80, 19.1–34.30 and 0.981–1.455 g/kg, respectively, for CO2, CO and HC. With increasing ratio of crop biomass, the emission factor for CO2 decreased, irrespective of biomass used. Based on the biomass consumption and emission factors for pollutants, lentil stalk and paddy straw have been found suitable substrate for cattle dung cake preparation.

Keywords

• cookstoves
• dung cake
• crop residues
• emission factors
• eigp