[Stoves] $1.50 Charcoal Stove

[adkarve]

Dear Andrew,
Our Institute has developed a process of making charcoal from agricultural
waste. There is no need to cut down trees to make charcoal.  You can see our
website www.arti-india.org for a picture of the kiln. We have now developed
a smaller kiln, costing just US$50, which we are planning to use in the
cities for charring urban leaf litter. The pyrolysis gas, released in the
process of charring, is burned inside the kiln itself, so that atmospheric
pollution is avoided.
Yours
 A.D.Karve

----- Original Message -----
From: <acparker at xmission.com>
To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves <stoves at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 6:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Stoves] $1.50 Charcoal Stove


> I feel compelled to chime in on this charcoal discussion.  I do not mind
> using biomass for energy in the proper context, however, the use of wood
> and charcoal in an urban setting can be catastrophic, to the health of
> the users, their neighbors, and to any tree within a days' journey of
> the city.
>
> When visiting my in-laws, I observe the charcoal burners in Guayaquil
> behaving like a plague of locusts.  They will cut down the trees in the
> medians and parks.  They cut down much of the dry rainforest around the
> city years ago and have been working on the mangroves lately.
>
> Propane for household use is subsidized, but there are frequent
> shortages as tanks are illegally used to run taxis and buses, smuggled
> across the border to Peru and Colombia in caravans for resale, or sold
> around the corner at whatever price the market will bear.
>
> I do not know if any program has been attempted to use rice husks,
> bagasse or other byproducts for charcoal production, but if they could
> undercut the prices of the traditional charcoal burners, it could stop,
> or at least slow, the destruction.
>
> Actually, there is a constant haze over the city because weeds are
> always being burned.  Whenever I go to visit, I always get a respiratory
> infection from smoke irritation.  Perhaps they should carbonize the
> weeds in an efficient retort?
>
> I do hope that Cornelio's efforts are successful.  Efficient stoves and
> sustainable sources of charcoal will take pressure off of the remaining
> trees and woodlands, in or near the great tropical urban centers.
>
>
> Andrew Parker
>
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