Liquid biofuels
Practical Action
For cooking and lighting within the home, biofuels are hugely beneficial, as they can be burnt
completely cleanly. With over 4000 people dying each day globally as a result of indoor air
pollution from cooking smoke, providing a clean local alternative fuel in those countries most
affected can make substantial inroads into alleviating poverty. Clean cooking provides health,
safety and quality of life benefits especially for women and children.
Biofuel stoves have been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating the practice of
gathering biomass; this can be especially critical where deforestation and desertification are
pressing issues, or in conflict situations where women fuel-gatherers are particularly vulnerable
to assault.
Developing countries with ideal climates for the rapid growth of fuel crops, such as sugar cane,
are often the same ones suffering the greatest burden of disease and death from indoor air
pollution. This document will discuss mainly the positive technologies for which biofuels
should be grown.
Technologies for liquid biofuels
Biofuel stoves
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a fossil-fuel derivative of two large energy industries: natural
gas processing and crude oil refining. Currently the demand for LPG is growing at around
0.4% per annum and with the growth in demand in Asia growing at 3.5% per annum (LP Gas
Association website (data 2004)). Any downturn in the supply of these two fossil fuels will
lead to a reduction in the availability of supplies and consequent price increases. Other clean
fuels are needed for cooking both to complement LPG in those countries which are not
themselves oil rich, and to supply clean energy to those currently using biomass in traditional
cooking stoves and three-stone fires.
Ethanol stoves
Ethanol is easily and safely handled, leading to
their use, for years, for the recreational market
such as yachts and outdoor activities. Recently,
robust, low-cost stoves have been designed
specifically for households in the developing
world.
This new market has lead to the establishment
of ethanol fuel distribution systems, creating
opportunities for local commerce. A good
example is the CleanCook Stove. This stainless
steel stove burns cleanly and has safety
features designed particularly for the
household:
• A fuel tank holds the ethanol in a special
absorptive fibre so that it cannot spill out
Ethiopian refugee cooking on a CleanCook
• Fuel is denatured so that it cannot be
stove
ingested
• The tank is not pressurised so there is no
risk of explosion
• The burner flame is easily adjusted or extinguished by
means of a simple regulator
This stove is finding a market in both Africa and Latin
America. Currently, manufacture of the stove for Ethiopia is
being transferred to Addis Ababa, bringing skills and
employment close to where the stove will be in use and
providing clean fuel for refugee communities (O’Brien).
SuperBlu stove
4