Date:02/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/02/stories/2006030202500800.htm

Back Philips develops `efficient' stove

Our Bureau

Bangalore , March 1

Philips Research has developed a woodstove that uses conventional energy efficiently to reduce smoke and toxic emissions, which causes about 1.6 million deaths a year.

About 300 million families in the world's poorest regions could benefit from the innovation, which saves fuel consumption by 80 per cent.

It also reduces indoor pollution caused by smoke up to 90 per cent and organic volatile emissions up to 99 per cent of the level of traditional cooking fires.

An electronically-controlled fan forces air through the stove, leading to higher temperatures.

A better fuel-to-air ratio helps 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 light bulbs.

Philips Research has optimised the construction of the stove for low-thermal mass and good insulation.

This ensures that the stove takes less energy to heat up, and less time to attain cooking temperature.

A commercial pilot has been planned later this year and the company is also looking for partners to market the technology in rural areas, said a company release.