A mathematical tool for predicting thermal performance of natural draft biomass cookstoves and identification of a new operational parameter

• A novel heat and mass transfer model for analysis of biomass cookstove performance.
• Integration of the model with the excel spreadsheet.
• Development of a user-friendly mathematical tool for stove designer.
• Validation of the mathematical tool using experimental data from the literature.
• Identification of a new operational parameter affecting stove performance.

The goal of the work was to develop a simple yet reliable and computationally inexpensive mathematical tool for the performance prediction of ‘rocket’ type natural draft direct combustion stoves with unshielded pot. The work included development of a novel heat and mass transfer model for natural draft biomass cookstoves and its integration with Excel® spreadsheet to develop a user-friendly mathematical tool. The results from the mathematical tool were validated against the experimental data set from literature. A new operational parameter named ‘Inlet area ratio’ was identified, and its effects on the stove performance were investigated. It was concluded that this newly identified parameter has a considerable effect on the performance of a natural draft stove, and the findings are likely to change the future cookstove modeling and design approach.