Pitch
Modifying old unused gas cylinder into a smokeless stove for cooking, heat radiated while using it is used for drying wood.
Description
Summary
My concept proposes for a technology to convert old gas cylinders into smokeless gas cylinder stove which can be used by poor to cook food, the conversion process will help create new jobs as well.
Wood, twigs and coal can be burnt inside the modified cylinder chamber and this heat is transferred to the bottom of the container used for cooking, there is an air intake fan which sucks in oxygen required for combustion and by regulating the flow of air, the rate of flame in the combustion can be controlled. The smoke is carried away through pipes making it smokeless.
Since the gas cylinder is made of metal the heat radiated while using this stove can be used for drying wood for further use, it acts like a heater or drier for removing water from wood and making ideal fire wood.
The firewood can be dried by placing it adjacent to the smokeless gas cylinder, the heat radiated while cooking will be enough to dry the fire wood. Since the firewood is kept open to the air the drying of wood takes place faster removing moisture and improved evaporation of moisture from wood as the surrounding air is heated up due to the use of smokeless gas cylinder. Also the smoke from the gas cylinder can be taken out through the pipe which eliminates a major problem of choking due to smoke while cooking which is a serious problem faced by women indulged in cooking in places where they have no gas stoves available.
Drying capacity:-
The weight of different types of wood varies so drying capacity in terms of size is almost equal to space available around the gas cylinder of 320 mm diameter heat radiation source and 700 mm height.
So capacity comes around 700 mm of wood stacked around a diameter of 320 mm which is enough for household sustainable drying wood, the heat wasted during cooking is captured and used for drying wood which makes the system highly energy efficient.
Category of the action
Adaptation
Who will take these actions?
1. Degas the LPG gas cylinder completely, this can be done easily using the present technology in LPG refill station.
2. Cut the upper portion and lower portion as shown in the above renders, to make arrangement to load fire wood and allow the flame to heat the utensil.
3. Make minor tweaks by adding a hinge to the cut lower cut portion making a small door to load fire wood, add a metallic fan behind to control the intake of air, this can be controlled using a regulator. A small temperature sensor either a temperature indicator sticker or analogue thermometer shows the temperature.
4. The technology required is only a metal cutter and welding machine. Which is easily available throughout the world.
5.Labour is also available as a large number of people are unemployed and they can be easily trained to do such monotonous jobs easily.
What are other key benefits?
- Capacity and inventory: - Based on size of the cylinder it is possible to make the smokeless gas cylinder stove in various sizes, small, medium and large. So it will be applicable to a wide variety of cylinders. It is mobile and can be easily transported just like a gas cycinder.
- This technology also gives a easy way to dry wood as the heat radiated is used for drying fire wood and once it is dry it can be used directltly in the stove.
- Reuse of cylinders help save energy as recycling a metallic cycinder consumes a lot of energy during melting the metal and manufacturing process.
- The conversion process will help create some jobs as well, as people are required to transform the cylinder into a stove.
- It solves the problem of choking smoke while cooking which is a major problem faced by women around the globe who cook food without gas stoves.
My proposal is just reuse of cylinder with small modifications which makes it environmentally sustainable and also economical.
What are the proposal’s costs?
- Research, development and prototyping a model - $15000
- Estimated cost of a recycled gas cylinder stove 14.5 kg type cylinder initial stage - $100
The cost involved be very less as it involves only metal cutting and welding operation with already available resources. So on a large scale those costs are negligible.
If high tech features like air intake fan with regulator, auto off, LED display with temperature sensor, fire alarm and other features are included the cost per cylinder will still be less than $40 per cylinder when mass produced but with only basic feature the cost will be almost negligible after considering the labour cost.
Time line
This project can be implemented within 2 years.
Related proposals
References
- Used LPG Cylinders has been found to have the potential to be recycled into rocket stoves
- Inspiring designs in pinterest
- Drying Firewood in a Temporary Solar Kiln: A Case Study
- Drying WoodJames E. Reeb, Wood Products and Utilization Specialist
- Drying Wood at Home
- Lumber Drying
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