Experimental study on the use of wood pellet briquettes in rocket stoves for household energy needs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58712/jerel.v5i1.206Keywords:
forced-draft air supply, thermal efficiency, combustion performance, biomass energyAbstract
This experimental study investigates the effect of air supply configurations on the combustion performance and thermal efficiency of wood pellet briquettes in rocket stoves for household energy use. With increasing global demand for energy and the depletion of fossil fuels, the shift to renewable biomass fuels, such as wood pellets, is essential to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency. The study evaluates four airflow configurations: right fan only (F3), lower-left + right fans (F2+F3), two left fans (F1+F2), and all fans (F1+F2+F3). The results show that the F3 configuration achieved the fastest boiling time, highest boiling temperature, and lowest heat-loss temperature, indicating superior thermal performance. In contrast, configurations with higher airflow (F1+F2 and all fans) led to greater heat losses and slower boiling times, suggesting that excessive airflow can negatively affect efficiency. Additionally, the analysis of residual mass revealed that F3 and F2+F3 configurations produced the lowest residuals, indicating more complete combustion. This study provides important insights into optimising airflow configurations to improve the efficiency of biomass stoves. The findings offer practical implications for the design and operation of sustainable cooking technologies, promoting energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels in households, particularly in rural areas.
Downloads
References
Achakulwisut, P., Erickson, P., Guivarch, C., Schaeffer, R., Brutschin, E., & Pye, S. (2023). Global fossil fuel reduction pathways under different climate mitigation strategies and ambitions. Nature Communications, 14(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41105-z
Ahmed, I., Ali, A., Ali, B., Hassan, M., Hussain, S., Hashmi, H., Ali, Z., Soomro, A., & Mukwana, K. (2022). Production of Pellets from Furfural Residue and Sawdust Biomass: Effect of Moisture Content, Particle Size and a Binder on Pellet Quality and Energy Consumption. Bioenergy Research, 15(2), 1292–1303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-021-10335-8
Chen, L., Zhao, J., Lu, W., Li, J., & Qi, X. (2025). Thermodynamic characteristics and oxygen threshold limiting the Re-ignition of overfired coal residues in sealed fire zones. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 68, 105863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2025.105863
Deng, M., Li, P., Shan, M., & Yang, X. (2020). Optimising supply airflow and its distribution between primary and secondary air in a forced-draft biomass pellet stove. Environmental Research, 184, 109301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109301
Du, W., Wang, J., Feng, Y., Duan, W., Wang, Z., Chen, Y., Zhang, P., & Pan, B. (2023). Biomass as residential energy in China: Current status and future perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 186(August), 113657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113657
Erdiwansyah, Gani, A., Mamat, R., Mahidin, Sudhakar, K., Rosdi, S. M., & Husin, H. (2022). Biomass and wind energy as sources of renewable energy for a more sustainable environment in Indonesia: A review. Archives of Environmental Protection, 48(3), 57–69. https://doi.org/10.24425/aep.2022.142690
Fan, L., Dong, H., Xiao, C., Feng, Z., & Yan, J. (2024). Energy consumption, structural transformation and related carbon dioxide emissions of rural households on the Tibetan plateau. Energy, 308, 132789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132789
Gan, Z., Zhao, C., Li, Y., Chen, G., Song, Z., Zhang, Z., & Ran, W. (2022). Experimental investigation on smoldering combustion for oil sludge treatment: Influence of key parameters and product analysis. Fuel, 316, 123354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123354
Gao, W., Hu, Y., Yan, R., Yan, W., Yang, M., Miao, Q., Yang, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). Comprehensive Review on Thermal Performance Enhancement of Domestic Gas Stoves. ACS Omega, 8(30), 26663–26684. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c01628
Gayen, D., Chatterjee, R., & Roy, S. (2024). A review on environmental impacts of renewable energy for sustainable development. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21(5), 5285–5310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05380-z
Gutiérrez, J., Chica, E. L., & Pérez, J. F. (2022). Parametric Analysis of a Gasification-Based Cookstove as a Function of Biomass Density, Gasification Behavior, Airflow Ratio, and Design. ACS Omega, 7(9), 7481–7498. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c05137
Gutiérrez, J., Santamaría, A., & Pérez, J. F. (2025). Particulate Matter Characteristics from a Gasification Cookstove: Implications of Operating Conditions Using Densified Wood Biomass. Processes, 13(11), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113683
Haselip, J., Chen, K., Marwah, H., & Puzzolo, E. (2022). Cooking in the margins: Exploring the role of liquefied petroleum gas for refugees in low-income countries. Energy Research and Social Science, 83, 102346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102346
Holechek, J. L., Geli, H. M. E., Sawalhah, M. N., & Valdez, R. (2022). A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050? Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(8), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792
Huang, M., Li, R., Xu, J., Cheng, S., Deng, H., Zhang, B., Rong, Z., & Li, Y. (2021). Effect of thermal input, excess air coefficient and combustion mode on natural gas MILD combustion in industrial-scale furnace. Fuel, 302(x), 121179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.121179
Jia, J. J., Zhu, M., & Wei, C. (2022). Household cooking in the context of carbon neutrality: A machine-learning-based review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 168(59), 112856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112856
Jiang, Y., Ma, J., & Cheng, Y. (2023). Effect of Air Inlet Spacing on Air Distribution and Ventilation Performance of Stratum Ventilation Using Multiple Parallel Jets. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 13(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/app13074143
Jie, H., Khan, I., Alharthi, M., Wasif, M., & Saeed, A. (2023). Sustainable energy policy, socio-economic development, and ecological footprint: The economic significance of natural resources, population growth, and industrial development. Utilities Policy, 81, 101490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2023.101490
Kalak, T. (2023). Potential Use of Industrial Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future. Energies, 16(4), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041783
Katerla, J., & Sornek, K. (2025). Biomass for Residential Heating: A Review of Technologies, Applications, and Sustainability Aspects. Energies, 18(22), 1–38. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18225875
Li, W., Wang, M., Meng, F., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, B. (2022). A Review on the Effects of Pretreatment and Process Parameters on Properties of Pellets. Energies, 15(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197303
Li, Y., Sun, S., Feng, D., Geng, K., Cheng, Z., Zhang, W., Zhao, Y., & Yang, W. (2024). Investigation on the interaction of NH3&CH4 co-activated char under reburning conditions. Journal of Environmental Management, 365, 121474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121474
Li, Z., Zhu, Y., Pan, D., & Cheng, X. (2023). Characterisation of a Gliding Arc Igniter from an Equilibrium Stage to a Non–Equilibrium Stage Using a Coupled 3D–0D Approach. Processes, 11(3), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030873
Machi, M. H., Farkas, I., & Buzas, J. (2024). Enhancing solar air collector performance through optimised entrance flue design: A comparative study. International Journal of Thermofluids, 21(January 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2024.100561
Mawusi, S. K., Shrestha, P., Xue, C., & Liu, G. (2023). A comprehensive review of the production, adoption and sustained use of biomass pellets in Ghana. Heliyon, 9(6), e16416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16416
Mekonnen, B. A. (2022). Thermal efficiency improvement and emission reduction potential by adopting improved biomass cookstoves for sauce-cooking process in rural Ethiopia. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 38, 102315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2022.102315
Osei Bonsu, B., Takase, M., & Mantey, J. (2020). Preparation of charcoal briquette from palm kernel shells: case study in Ghana. Heliyon, 6(10), e05266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05266
Østergaard, P. A., Duic, N., Noorollahi, Y., & Kalogirou, S. (2022). Renewable energy for sustainable development. Renewable Energy, 199, 1145–1152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.065
Pan, W. (2025). Research Progress on Risk Prevention and Control Technology for Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Power Stations: A Review. Batteries, 11(8), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080301
Pandit, S., Das, D. C., Das, B., & Newar, P. P. (2025). An experimental investigation of optimised biomass cookstoves with TEG integration and solid heat storage for rural areas. Energy, 331, 137121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137121
Qin, J., Duan, W., Zou, S., Chen, Y., Huang, W., & Rosa, L. (2024). Global energy use and carbon emissions from irrigated agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47383-5
Qudrat-Ullah, H. (2024). Exploring the Energy Transition to LPG in the Nigerian Household Sector: A Scenario-Based Modeling Approach. In Exploring the Dynamics of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development in Africa (pp. 37–61). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48528-2_3
Rehman, A., Ma, H., Ozturk, I., & Ulucak, R. (2022). Sustainable development and pollution: the effects of CO2 emission on population growth, food production, economic development, and energy consumption in Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 17319–17330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16998-2
Rehman, A., Mahtab, M., Ilhan, A., Alvarado, R., Murshed, M., I??k, C., & Ma, H. (2023). Globalisation and renewable energy use: how are they contributing to upsurge the CO2 emissions? A global perspective. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 9699–9712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22775-6
Rimantho, D., Hidayah, N. Y., Pratomo, V. A., Saputra, A., Akbar, I., & Sundari, A. S. (2023). The strategy for developing wood pellets as sustainable renewable energy in Indonesia. Heliyon, 9(3), e14217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14217
Rodriguez Franco, C. (2022). Forest biomass potential for wood pellets production in the United States of America for exportation: a review. Biofuels, 13(8), 983–994. https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2022.2059951
Roy, M. M., & Corscadden, K. W. (2012). An experimental study of combustion and emissions of biomass briquettes in a domestic wood stove. Applied Energy, 99, 206–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.05.003
Rupasinghe, R. L., Perera, P., Bandara, R., Amarasekera, H., & Vlosky, R. (2024). Insights into Properties of Biomass Energy Pellets Made from Mixtures of Woody and Non-Woody Biomass: A Meta-Analysis. Energies, 17(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010054
Saleem, M. (2022). Possibility of utilising agriculture biomass as a renewable and sustainable future energy source. Heliyon, 8(2), e08905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08905
Saosee, P., Sajjakulnukit, B., & Gheewala, S. H. (2022). Environmental externalities of wood pellets from fast-growing and para-rubber trees for sustainable energy production: A case in Thailand. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 14, 100183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2022.100183
Sheykhbaglou, S., Ghahremani, A., Tabejamaat, S., & Sánchez-Sanz, M. (2024). Comparative study of combustion and thermal performance of a meso-scale combustor under co- and counter-rotating fuel and oxidiser swirling flows for micro power generators. Heliyon, 10(2), e24250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24250
Shibata, T., Fukuzumi, Y., Kobayashi, W., & Moritomo, Y. (2018). Thermal power generation during heat cycle near room temperature. Applied Physics Express, 11(1), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.7567/APEX.11.017101
Simanjuntak, J. P., Al-attab, K. A., Daryanto, E., Tambunan, B. H., & Eswanto. (2022). Bioenergy as an Alternative Energy Source: Progress and Development to Meet the Energy Mix in Indonesia. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 97(1), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.97.1.85104
Simanjuntak, J. P., Daryanto, E., Baharuddin, & Tambunan, B. H. (2021). Performance improvement of biomass combustion-basedstove byimplementing internally air-distribution. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1811/1/012015
Susastriawan, A. A. P., & Saptoadi, H. (2023). Effect of Air Supply Location and Equivalence Ratio on Thermal Performance of Downdraft Gasifier Fed by Wood Sawdust. Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, 11(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d10.0435
Wang, C. P., Deng, Y., Xiao, Y., Deng, J., Shu, C. M., & Jiang, Z. G. (2022). Gas-heat characteristics and oxidation kinetics of coal spontaneous combustion in heating and decaying processes. Energy, 250, 123810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.123810
Zhang, Q., Xing, H., Yang, A., Li, J., & Han, Y. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Slag-Coating Mechanisms in Blast-Furnace Staves: Furnace Profile Optimisation and Material-Structure Design. Materials, 18(16), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163727
