Philips Smokeless Stove Uses 80% Less Fuel, Saves Lives

Philips Smokeless Stove Uses 80% Less Fuel, Saves Lives
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.15.06
Design /&/amp; Architecture (kitchen)

stove.jpgWe usually think of Philips as a maker of LCD's and LED's but they have been cooking up other things in Eindhoven, including this woodstove. 300 million families in the world's poorest regions burn wood for cooking, and smoke and toxic emisions kill 1.6 million people per year. When properly used the woodstove typically reduces fuel consumption up to 80% compared with traditional, three stone fires. Apart from faster and more convenient cooking, this energy efficiency means the stove can save the cost of the time needed to gather fuel, and should also slow deforestation. According to Philips: "The secret to many benefits of this stove is an electronically controlled fan forcing air through the stove, leading to higher temperatures and a better fuel to air ratio. This results in cleaner burning and more efficient use of fuel. A thermoelectric generator using the heat from the burning wood generates electricity for the fan. Apart from ensuring autonomy from electricity supplies, the generator can also power external equipment like radios or lighting." That's good green design. ::Philips via ::FreshGadgets
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imagine what one can accomplish for the environment if this were partnered with a solar oven and/or even just a simple haybox - preferably more than one!
March 15, 2006 10:39 AM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top Michael says:

So, smoke and toxic emissions from cooking fires kill 1.6 million people a year? That is complete and utter BS. Do you guys ever check a "fact" before you print it?

LA: You might read the Philips link. You might read the PDF of a scientific study here.
March 15, 2006 11:31 AM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top Philip says:

I read the above paper at the Philips link, and the conclusion that the authors came to is: There is a relationship between CB and COPD and the use of biomass fuels in rural areas of central Turkey. Which seems to support the above fact about 1.6 million people dying. I have in fact travelled in various places around Africa and indoor cooking fires are definitely a concern. Check out the following links to find that the WHO and the nation of China are pretty concerned about the issue...


Pubmed on Biomass in China

Our Planet

colorado Journal


March 15, 2006 1:22 PM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top Ali [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

This post seems to interest people. It is featured on Reddit.com's "hot" page, and it was submitted to Digg.

If you want to digg it:

digg.com/technology/Philips_Smokeless_Stove
March 15, 2006 3:47 PM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top MGR [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

A similar product, the Sierra Zip stove (http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html), has been available for years and is sold for about $60 through Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13930). Only requiring an AA battery for hours of use, an inexpensive solar charger could make this a readily available alternative to Phillips’ design.
March 15, 2006 4:19 PM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top Josh says:

A similar problem exists in China. People use coal in small poorly designed stoves. Sometimes the gap between the wall top and roof eave serves as the vent flue, which results in continuous exposure of the inhabitants to sulferous oxides,ash, and PAH's. Worse, Chinese coal tends to have very high levels of mercury lead arsenic and flouride, so much so in some regions that food flouride poisioning is a serious public health issue.

Benjamin Franklin was inspired to develop his "Franklin Stove" though his experiences with terrible fire place designs. He wrote humorously about how he could tell how bad a person's fire place was made by the extent to which he/she smelled like a Virginia Ham. There are several reasons why the avearge life span of North Americans increased steadily from the Civil War on: one of these reasons was the improvments made to cooking and heating system designs!
March 15, 2006 6:37 PM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top JL says:

This doesnt really solve one of the bigger problems of wood stoves: deforestation. Granted, this stove requires less wood, but it still uses it. I also dont see people who need to use wood stoves because they cant afford anything else spending money on this product. Its a good idea, but i fear it doesnt really make the problem less of a concern.
March 15, 2006 9:40 PM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top n says:

This is a great idea! I believe that it has the potential to change the face of third world countries. Unfortunately, as I have found out from past experience, a new way to burn fuel isn't necessarily the answer. In the United States there are good and decent people who are burning pallet material for firewood. As more people are learning this wood is reeking with toxins including arsenic. Recently, I was buying a Christmas tree with my kids when I say the black smoke eminating from the burn barrel nearby with a pile of broken commercial pallets nearby. After explaining the danger there response was that of interested disinterest, continuing to burn pallets long after we left. Education is the key regardless of the country.
March 17, 2006 11:14 AM | click here to report abuse flag a problem
jump to top John Hoggins says:
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Tags: woodstove | stove | fuel | cooking | smokeless | Philips | lives | eindhoven