Basic HTML Version
P A G E 3
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 2
Traditional wood-burning open stoves used in developing
countries are known to be inefficient and pose health risks for
rural villagers. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO)
estimates that more than two million premature deaths annually
are caused by exposure to smoke from traditional cook stoves
and open fires, with women and children being the most
afflicted. In the Marojejy National Park region, continual logging
of fuel-wood is a major source of deforestation and one of the
reasons there are so few trees outside the park boundaries.
At the Center for Renewable Energy (CER) in Sambava, we
conduct one-day trainings where we teach people how to make
“rocket stoves”, which are fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves,
out of readily available local materials. These stoves can
reduce wood consumption by 50% or more and are designed to
have a simple high-temperature combustion chamber containing
an insulated vertical chimney-like chamber which ensures
complete combustion (high heat and less smoke) prior to the
flames’ reaching the cooking surface. Having the wood on an
elevated grate off the ground allows natural draft through the
wood which, like a fan, results in a hotter more vigorous burn.
Recently, we held a rocket stove training with Lanto
Andrianandrasana (DLC SAVA Conservation) and Razaka (librarian
for the Marojejy library). We began with a theory class
explaining the benefits and characteristics of rocket stoves. After
lunch, we proceeded to the stove-making area where we
had already prepared molds, local clay, sawdust and water
as well as pre-
manufactured metal top shrouds. The body of the stove was then
made by pressing the mixture of the clay/sawdust/water into the
molds, after which an afternoon of drying in the shade was sufficient
before actual testing with some dry leaves and dead wood.
This type of stove has been made at CER for some years and has
sold well. It is suited for areas where there are many down and dead
trees, and where black charcoal is expensive and hard to get. We
don’t encourage the cutting of live trees for cooking, and hopefully
the villagers will not participate in that activity.
S A V A C O N S E R V A T I O N
Rocket Stove Training at Center for Renewable Energy (CER)
By Robert and Jean Auerbach, Peace Corps Volunteers
Lanto (on the right) and Razaka making a rocket
stove.
Finished rocket stoves.
Pressing mechanism for making "green charcoal".
Our SAVA Conservation initiative will be collaborating with CER,
supporting installation of simple hand-operated equipment to
make green charcoal, near Marojejy National Park, and also ex-
ploring support for rocket stoves. CW