ENHANCEMENT OF SOLAR COOKER’S PERFORMANCE

USING LOW-COST HEAT STORAGE MATERIALS

PROJECT FILE:

BATCH 2017

INTERNAL ADVISOR: MEMBERS:

Mr. SYED AUN ALI MUHAMMAD SAAD (ME-17201)

MUHAMMAD FARJAD OWAIS (ME-17325)

SYED AKBAR ALI RIZVI (ME-17326)

ABDUR REHMAN (ME-17327)

Page 1
Table of Contents
1.1. ENERGY SOURCES: -.................................................................................................................7
1.1.1.NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES:..................................................................................................7
ADVANTAGES:.................................................................................................................................7
DIS-ADVANTAGES:.........................................................................................................................7
1.1.2. RENEWABLE SOURCES:...........................................................................................................7
ADVANTAGES:.................................................................................................................................8
1.1.3. FUEL SHARE WORLDWIDE: -..........................................................................................................8
1.2. ENERGY SECTOR OF PAKISTAN: -.......................................................................................................10
1.3.THE POPULATION OF PAKISTAN: -......................................................................................................11
1.4. POVERTY RATE IN PAKISTAN:............................................................................................................12
1.5. ELECTRICITY GENERATION:................................................................................................................12
1.6. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION SOURCES IN PAKISTAN:..........................................................................14
1.6.1. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:..................................................................................................14
1.6.1.1. Wind:....................................................................................................................................15
1.6.1.2. Solar:.....................................................................................................................................15
1.6.1.3. Bagasse:................................................................................................................................15
1.6.1.4. Nuclear:................................................................................................................................15
1.6.2.NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES:........................................................................................................15
1.6.2.1. Thermal:................................................................................................................................15
1.6.2.2. Hydel Power:........................................................................................................................16
1.6.2.3. Natural Gas:..........................................................................................................................16
1.7. NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION:.........................................................................17
1.7.1. DOMESTIC USE OF NATURAL GAS IN PAKISTAN:.........................................................................19
1.8. Energy & Health Problems Faced by Pakistan:..................................................................................19
1.9. ACCESS TO CLEAN COOKING TECHNOLOGIES:..................................................................................20
1.9.1. Traditional Cookstoves:...............................................................................................................21
1.9.2. Improved Biomass Cookstoves:...................................................................................................22
1.9.2.1. Rocket Stoves:......................................................................................................................22
1.9.2.2. Plancha (griddle) Cookstoves:...............................................................................................22
1.9.2.3. Gasifier/TLUD Cookstove:.....................................................................................................23
1.9.2.4. Biogas Stove:.........................................................................................................................24

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 1.9.2.5. Ethanol/Alcohol Cookstove:..................................................................................................26
1.9.2.6. Induction Cooker:.................................................................................................................26
1.10. SOLAR COOKER:........................................................................................................................28
1.10.1. WORKING PRINCIPLES:..............................................................................................................28
1.10.1.1. Concentrating sunlight:.......................................................................................................28
1.10.1.2. Converting light energy to heat energy:.............................................................................28
1.10.1.3. Trapping heat energy:.........................................................................................................28
1.11. TYPES OF SOLAR COOKER:...............................................................................................................29
1.11.1.BOX COOKER:..............................................................................................................................29
Advantages:.......................................................................................................................................29
Disadvantages....................................................................................................................................30
1.11.2. PARABOLIC SOLAR COOKER:......................................................................................................30
Advantages:.......................................................................................................................................30
Disadvantage:....................................................................................................................................30
1.11.3. VACUUM TYPE SOLAR COOKER:................................................................................................31
Advantages:.......................................................................................................................................31
Disadvantages...................................................................................................................................31
1.12. WHY WE SELECTED SOLAR BOX COOKER?......................................................................................32
1.12.1. COMPARISON WITH SOLAR PANEL COOKER:.............................................................................32
DISADVANTAGES:..............................................................................................................................33
1.12.2. COMPARISON WITH SOLAR PARABOLIC COOKERS:...................................................................33
ADAVNATGES:...................................................................................................................................33
DISADVANTAGES:..............................................................................................................................34
1.12.3. SOLAR BOX COOKER:.................................................................................................................34
ADVANTAGES:...................................................................................................................................34
DISADVANTAGES:..............................................................................................................................34
1.12.4. CONCLUSION:............................................................................................................................35
1.13. BENEFITS OF SOLAR COOKING:........................................................................................................36
1.13.1. HEALTH BENEFITS:.....................................................................................................................36
1.13.1.1. SMOKE FREE COOKING:......................................................................................................36
1.13.1.2. GLAUCOMA:........................................................................................................................37
1.13.1.3. POLLUTED DRINKING WATER:............................................................................................37

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1.13.2. COST EFFECTIVE:........................................................................................................................38
1.13.3. REDUCED CARBON EMISSIONS:.................................................................................................38
1.13.4. REDUCTION IN DEFORESTATION:..............................................................................................38

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 LISTS OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Fuel Share in 1990 by IEA [1]....................................................................................................7

Figure 1.2 Fuel shares in 2018 by IEA [2]..................................................................................................8
Figure 1.3 Fuel shares in world electricity production, 2018......................................................................9
Figure 1. 4 Pakistan’s Energy Mix in 2020..............................................................................................10
Figure 1.5 World bank IBRD. IDA Census Report, 2019.........................................................................11
Figure 1.6 Share of Electricity generation of Pakistan in 2020 by NEPRA..............................................13
Figure 1. 7 Electricity distribution of Pakistan.........................................................................................14
Figure 1.8 SSGCL, SNGPL &Pakistan State of petroleum industry Report 2018-19................................18
Figure 1.9 Pakistan province wise production and consumption of natural gas........................................18
Figure 1. 10 Natural gas demand-supply forecast.....................................................................................19
Figure 1. 11 Traditional Cookstove (clay stove).......................................................................................22
Figure 1. 12 Rocket Cookstove (L Shaped)..............................................................................................23
Figure 1. 13 Plancha (griddle) Stoves.......................................................................................................23
Figure1. 14 Gasifier top-lit updraft...........................................................................................................24
Figure 1. 15 Top views of Biogas stove.....................................................................................................25
Figure 1. 16 Front views of Biogas stove..................................................................................................26
Figure 1. 17 Ethanol cookstoves................................................................................................................26
Figure 1.18 Box type of solar cooker.........................................................................................................29
Figure 1.19 Parabolic solar cooker............................................................................................................30
Figure 1. 20 Vacuum type of solar cooker.................................................................................................31
Figure 1.21 Comparison of Solar Panel Cooker & Solar Box Cooker..........................................................32
Figure 1. 22 Comparison of Solar Parabolic Cooker & Solar Box Cooker...................................................33
Figure 1.23 Emission of toxic gases from burning of fuel wood................................................................35
Figure 1.24 Glaucoma- A blindness disorder arising from frequent contact of eye with toxic gases........36
Figure 1.25 Annual Tree Cover Loss by Dominant Driver in Pakistan........................................................38
Figure 1.26 Tree Cover Loss in Pakistan from 2001-2019..........................................................................39

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LISTS OF TABLES
Table 1.1 Fuel Share of World in TES,2018...................................................................................8
Table1. 2 fuel share in world electricity production,2018...............................................................9
Table 1.3 percentage share in Electricity Generation of Pakistan................................................12
Table 1.4 Natural Gas reserves by the year 2020..........................................................................15
Table1. 5 Sector-wise Gas Consumption During FY 2018-19 in Million standard cubic feet per day
(MMSCFD)...............................................................................................................................................16

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CHAPTER 1
1.INTRODUCTION:
Reliable and affordable energy has become the necessity of life in the 21 st century. Every aspect
of our life revolves around energy whether it be household use, transportation, industrial
manufacturing, agriculture, or medical purposes. It is observed that the countries which have the
highest GDP also have the highest energy consumption. But there is an ever-greater need and
concern that these energy sources must be sustainable because we are facing the crisis of global
warming, climate change, and air pollution. Hence the key challenge mankind is facing is to
meet the ever-increasing energy demand while reducing the carbon footprint. Two aspects are
under consideration to find renewable alternatives and to make the devices more efficient to
reduce energy consumption but this has its limits.

1.1. ENERGY SOURCES: -

Sources of energy are classified into two types:

Non-renewable sources

Renewable sources

1.1.1.NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES:
Fossil fuels are known as non-renewable sources of energy. The amount of non-renewable
sources are considered to be finite and concerning their consumption, these sources cannot be
replaced by natural means.

●Coal, Oil, and Natural gas are examples of Non-renewable sources.

ADVANTAGES:
● The amount of energy released by burning them is quite high.

DIS-ADVANTAGES:
● The amount of non-renewable sources on earth are considered as finite.

● Their by-products are not environmentally friendly.

1.1.2. RENEWABLE SOURCES:

As the name implies that these sources are renewable as their consumption is considered means
their amount is not decreased as they consumed. Their amount is infinitely available. They are

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available all over the earth in different forms, Solar, Wind, Geothermal are common examples of
these sources.

ADVANTAGES:
● Eco-friendly.

● Easily available.

● Their amount is infinitely available.

1.1.3. FUEL SHARE WORLDWIDE: -

The world mainly depends on fossil fuels. They are not properly utilizing renewable sources of
energy. Consumption of non-renewable sources is increasing rapidly as compared to renewable
which is clearly shown from the figure below:

Fuel Share in World, 1990

Geothermal, Solar,
Hydro; 2.10% Wind & Tidal, 0.42%
Nuclear; 5.98% Oil
Biofuel coal
and Oil; 36.89%
wastag Natural gas
e; Biofuel and wastage
10.36% Nuclear
Natural gas; 18.95%
Hydro
Geothermal, Solar, Wind, Tidal

coal; 25.30%

Figure 1.1 Fuel Share in 1990 by IEA [1]

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Table 1.1 Fuel Share of World in TES,2018

Sources Percentages%
Coal 26.90%
Natural Gas 22.80%
Nuclear 4.90%
Hydro 2.50%
Oil 31.50%
Biofuel and Wastage 9.00%
Geothermal, Solar, Wind & Tidal 2.40%
other 0.40%
Source: - International Energy Agency (IEA)

Fuel Share in World TES,2018

Geothermal, Solar,
Coal Wind & Tidal, 2.40% other; 0.40%
Natural Gas Biofuel
and Coal; 26.90%
Nuclear Wastage;
Hydro 9.00%
Oil
Biofuel and Wastage Oil; 31.50%
Geothermal, Solar, Wind & Tidal Natural Gas; 22.80%
other

Hydro; 2.50% Nuclear; 4.90%

Figure 1.2 Fuel shares in 2018 by IEA [2]

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Table1. 2 fuel share in world electricity production,2018

Sources Percentages%
Coal 38.20%
Natural Gas 23.10%
Nuclear 10.20%
Hydro 15.80%
Oil 2.90%
Biofuel and Wastage 2.10%
Geothermal, Solar, Wind & Tidal 7.20%
other 0.40%
Source: - International Energy Agency (IEA)

Fuel shares in world electricity production,

2018
Coal
Geothermal, Solar, Wind Natural Gas
& Tidal other Nuclear
7% 0% Hydro
Oil
Biofuel and3% Coal Oil
Wastage Hydro 38%
Biofuel and Wastage
2% 16% Geothermal, Solar, Wind & Tidal
other
Nuclear
10%

Natural Gas
23%

Figure 1.3 Fuel shares in world electricity production, 2018

1.2. ENERGY SECTOR OF PAKISTAN: -

The energy sector of Pakistan consists of energy sources like gas, furnace oil, coal, nuclear,
hydel, wind, solar & bagasse energy. Hydel contributes 28.82% of the total energy share supplies
in Pakistan, thermal (Gas, RFO, RLNG & Coal) contributes 60.30%, nuclear contributes 7.32%,
Imports from Iran Contributes 0.38% while Renewable Energy (Wind, Solar & Bagasse
contributes 2.130, 0.63 & 0.42) share supplies respectively.

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 Energy Mix of Pakistan in 2020

Import from Iran; 0.38% Solar; 0.63% Wind; 2.13% Bagasse; 0.42%

Hydel Nuclear;
7.32%
Thermal (Gas, RFO, RLNG & Coal) Hydel; 28.82%
Nuclear
Import from Iran Thermal
Solar (Gas, RFO,
Wind RLNG &
Bagasse Coal);
60.30%

Figure 1. 4 Pakistan’s Energy Mix in 2020

1.3.THE POPULATION OF PAKISTAN: -

According to World Bank IBRD. IDA, in 2019 the population of Pakistan was 216.565 million
peoples and the population in rural areas of Pakistan was 136.63 million people which is 63.09%
of the total population. The population in urban areas of Pakistan was 79.927 million people that
is 36.907% of the total population.

Population of Pakistan in 2019

Urban Population of Pakistan,

79927762, 36.907%

Rural Population of Pakistan,

136637556, 63.093%

Urban Population of Pakistan Rural Population of Pakistan

Figure 1.5 World bank IBRD. IDA Census Report, 2019

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1.4. POVERTY RATE IN PAKISTAN:
Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing, and
shelter. Poverty is a social problem that Pakistani’s are now facing, especially in the rural areas
of Pakistan. The majority of people are suffering from poverty, according to the Asian
Development Bank and World Bank of data poverty and Equity brief that in 2015, 24.3% of the
population of Pakistan lived below the national poverty line which sharply jumped to over 40%
by June 2020. In 2015, Poverty in rural areas of Pakistan was 30.7% that is almost double of the
poverty in the urban area of Pakistan, day by day poverty in Pakistan and its provinces grow
quickly, while in Pakistan especially in the province Balochistan (Land of beauty) has a poverty
rate of 42.2% which is quite an alarming situation for the whole country and as well as Human
Rights Poverty Control Organization because almost half of the population living in Balochistan
lies below the poverty line.

To remove poverty from Pakistan, the rural sector must have to be developed. Our rural sector
primarily consists of small farmers and landless laborer’s who are categorized among the rural
poor. The majority source of their earning is through agriculture and other small industries which
mainly depend upon agriculture. Most rural households in Pakistan are in the state of energy
poverty and the proportion of employed population below $1.90 purchasing power parity a day
in 2019 is 2.3%. According to a report of IREA, approximately half of the population living in
the rural area of Pakistan does not have access to electricity. According to the Asian
Development Bank,

the proportion of the employed population was below $1.90 purchasing power parity a day in
2019 is 2.3%.

1.5. ELECTRICITY GENERATION:

During FY 2019-20, the total electricity generation in the country including the power plants
connected with NTDC and KE systems was 134745.70 GWh compared to 136532 GWh electric
power generation of FY 2018-19. The total electricity generation from power plants connected
with the NTDC system remained 121,643.99 GWh which included 38987.96 GWh hydel,
68799.22 GWh thermal (including generation by SPPs/CPPs), 9704.89 GWh nuclear, 2882.48
GWh wind, 704.97 GWh solar, and 564.46 GWh bagasse/biomass. Besides local generation,
513.74 GWh has also been imported from Iran.

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Table 1.3 percentage share in Electricity Generation of Pakistan

Sources % Share in 2018-19 % Share in 2019-20

Hydel 24.15% 28.82%
Thermal 65.25% 60.30%
Nuclear 6.68% 7.32%
Imports from Iran 0.36% 0.38%
Solar 0.56% 0.63%
Wind 2.35% 2.13%
Bagasse 0.65% 0.42%
Source: WAPDA/GENCOs/IPPs/KE/CPPA-G

Share Electricity Generation of Pakistan in

FY-2018-19 & FY-2019-20
70.00%

60.00%

50.00%
Percentage Share (%)

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
30 June FY 2018-19(%) 30 June FY 2019-20

Hydel Thermal Nuclear Imports from Iran

Solar Wind Bagasse

Figure 1.6 Share of Electricity generation of Pakistan in 2020 by NEPRA

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1.6. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION SOURCES IN PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan, the sources of Electricity production are: -

Thermal

Nuclear Wind

Electricity

Bagasse Solar

Hydel

Figure 1. 7 Electricity distribution of Pakistan

1.6.1. RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:

Pakistan has a lot of potentials to full fill its crises of energy through renewable energy sources
but sadly only 3.18% of total electricity generation is coming from renewable sources. Now the
government shows some commitment to electricity generation using renewable sources. It was
observed that during FY 2019-20, the total electricity generation of REpower plants connected
with the NTDC system during FY 2019-20 has been recorded as 4,151.91 GWh compared to
4,840.59 GWh during FY 2018-19 showing a decrease of 688.68 GWh. Only 3.18% of total
electricity generation is coming from wind in the year 2020.

Three Renewable energy sources contribute to the electricity production of Pakistan:

1:- Wind

2:- Solar

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1.6.1.1. Wind:
The total electricity generation of the WPPs during FY 2019-20 remained 2,882 GWh as
compared to 3,231.64 GWh during FY 2018-19 showing a decrease of 349.64 GWh. Of these
1,248 MW wind power plants, three WPPs with a total 150 MW capacity namely Zephyr Power,
Tenaga Generasi, and HydroChina Dawood, are providing electricity to KE under a Power
Purchase and Agency Agreement between KE, CPPA-G, and NTDC. During FY 2019-20, these
three WPPs supplied 423 GWh electric power to KE. Only 2.131% of total electricity generation
is coming from wind in the year 2020.

1.6.1.2. Solar:
The total electricity generation of the solar power projects connected with the NTDC system
during FY 2019-20 was recorded as 704.97 GWh as compared to 714.52 GWh during FY 2018-
19 showing a decrease of 9.55 GWh. Only 0.63% of total electricity generation is coming from
solar in the year 2020.

1.6.1.3. Bagasse:
The total electricity generation of the bagasse/biomass power plants during FY 2019-20
remained 564.46 GWh as compared to 894.43 GWh during last year showing a decrease of
329.97 GWh. The decrease in generation from the cheaper indigenous source needs to be
checked. Only 0.42% of total electricity generation is coming from Bagasse in 2020.

1.6.1.4. Nuclear:
Only 7.32% of the total energy generation is coming from nuclear. Pakistan is excluded from
trade in nuclear plants or materials, which hinders its development in nuclear energy. The other
issue related to nuclear is solid waste which is dangerous for marine life. The nuclear power
generation is being managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) who has been
undertaking all development, execution, operation, and maintenance of nuclear-based power
generation. The total electricity generation of the four Nuclear Power Plants connected with the
NTDC system during the FY 2019-20 remained 9,704.89 GWh as compared to 9,005.68 GWh
during the FY 2018-19 showing an increase of 699.21 GWh.

1.6.2.NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES:
1.6.2.1. Thermal:
At present, the generation of energy through thermal power is 81554.83 GWh but the conversion
efficiencies of these plants are low and due to this they are expensive to operate. Also, the
majority of the thermal plants installed, use furnace oil which is very expensive because we must
import it.

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1.6.2.2. Hydel Power:
Hydel power is generated by an electricity generator that extracts energy from moving water.
Although in Pakistan it is observed that electricity generation from hydro has decreased over the
last few decades and the main reason for this is the availability of water. The Energy generation
through hydel was 38987.6 GWh, only 28.82% of total electricity generation is coming from
hydel power in the year 2020.

1.6.2.3. Natural Gas:

Natural Gas mainly composed of methane contains almost 75-90% of methane and the rest are
other gases. According to IEA (International Energy Agency), 22% of the world’s energy is
supplied by natural gas. When heat and high pressure are applied to decomposed plants and
animals under the surface of the earth for millions of years this gas is formed. Pakistan mainly
depends on Natural Gas in various sectors and its demand increasing rapidly as compared to its
supply. During FY 2019-20, a total of 20615.48 GWh electricity was generated using gas as
compared to 28,010.55 GWh generation during FY 2018-19. The gas-based generation during
FY 2019-20 included 15,236.30 GWh generation in the NTDC area while 5,379.18 GWh in the
KE area. The share of gas-based electricity generation in total thermal generation during FY
2019-20 remained 25.28% while the share of gas-based electricity generation during FY 2017-18
and FY 2018-19 was 32.24% and 31.33% respectively.

Table 1.4 Natural Gas reserves by the year 2020

COUNTRY RESERVE (trillion ft 3)

Russia 1688.23
Iran 1197.23
Qatar 842.10
U. S. A 477.82
Turkmenistan 350
Saudi Arabia 320.26
U. A. E 215.10
China 222.98
Venezuela 200.37
Nigeria 200.41
Pakistan 11.26
Source: - Knoema World data Atlas Energy gas

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1.7. NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION:
Natural Gas contributes about 38% of the total energy supply in Pakistan. The consumers of
natural gas of Pakistan are divided into 3 basic categories namely residential, commercial and
industrial consumers. The domestic sector of Pakistan uses 290868 million ft 3 of annual gas. The
industrial sector includes power, cement, general industry, fertilizer, and transport sectors. The
demand for gas increases considerably during the winter season. According to the priorities set
by the GOP utility sector also supply to different sectors. The domestic(residential) sector of
Pakistan remains at the top of the priority of the gas companies for maintaining gas supply as per
the GOP’s Natural Gas Load Management Policy.

Table1. 5 Sector-wise Gas Consumption During FY 2018-19 in Million standard cubic feet per day
(MMSCFD)

Sector SNGPL SSGCL Independent Tota Percentage Share (%)

System System System l (Net of Own Use &
Losses)

Residential 593 263 0 856 22

Commercial 58 29 0 87 2

General Industry 190 165 0 335 9

Fertilizer 156 51 445 652 16

Cement 0 1 0 1 0

Captive Power 117 204 0 321 8

Power 704 220 595 1519 38

Transport 116 62 0 178 4

Sub-Total 1934 995 1040 3969 100

UFG,T&D and 164 194 0 358 -

Other Losses

Grand Total 2115 1165 1040 4351 -

(SOURCE: SNGPL, SSGCL & Independent System)

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Figure 1.8 SSGCL, SNGPL &Pakistan State of petroleum industry Report 2018-19

Setoral Shares in Gas Consumption

40% 37% 38%
35%

30%

25% 22%
Percent(%)

20%
20% FY 2017-18
17% 16%
FY 2018-19
15%
9% 9% 10%
10% 8%
5% 4%
5% 2% 2%
0%
Residential Commercial General Fertilizer Capitive Power Transport
Industry Power

Sectors

Province -wise Production and Consumption of Natural Gas

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000
MMCFD

800

600

400

200

0
Production FY-2017-18 Production FY-2018-19 Consumption FY 2017- Consumption FY 2018-
18 19

Figure 1.9 Pakistan province wise production and consumption of natural gas

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1.7.1. DOMESTIC USE OF NATURAL GAS IN PAKISTAN:
There is an ever-increasing gap between gas production and the demand for gas every year. The
situation becomes worst in winter and households rely on wood burning as a source of fuel for
cooking. As per the forecast of the oil and gas regulatory authority of Pakistan by the fiscal year
2030, this shortfall will reach up to 5389 MMCFD.AS households of Pakistan depend on gas for
cooking this shortfall will greatly affect women especially in rural areas. To bridge this gap, we
either have to work on gas exploration or import gas both of which are non-sustainable. Another
way is to find a cheap alternative for domestic cooking which is renewable and has fewer effects
on health.

Natural Gas Demand Supply Forecast

8000

7000

6000
MMCFD

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30
(Actual)

Figure 1. 10 Natural gas demand-supply forecast

1.8. Energy & Health Problems Faced by Pakistan:

More than 50 million people in Pakistan have no access to the basic necessity of electricity and
still unfortunately our country has one of the world’s worst power outages. Even though 20% of the
rural part of Pakistan’s population is still not connected to the national grid currently. For
cooking purposes, most of the population in rural areas of Pakistan relies on biomass. The
region of Balochistan uses 560 kg and 920 kg of wood in summer and winter while province

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Sindh uses 400 to 640kg of wood. The burning of biomass in traditional stoves causes serious
health issues. According to World Health Organization (WHO), outdoor air pollution reports
22000 premature adult deaths with 163 to 432 losses daily. The country also has a significant
indoor air pollution problem (IAP). Biofuel such as (crop residue animal dung, charcoal) is being
used in four-fifth of all households in Pakistan. For indoor air pollution (IAP), major sources are
space heating, lighting homes, and the most important being fuel burned for cooking purposes.
This releases CO2 emissions, formaldehyde, and other harmful pollutants into the air which can
be poisonous to people. Due to indoor air pollution in Pakistan 40 million cases of acute
respiratory were reported and 28000 deaths/year.

1.9. ACCESS TO CLEAN COOKING TECHNOLOGIES:

Clean cooking transforms lives by improving health, protecting the climate as well as the
environment. Everybody cooks but not everybody has access to clean cooking. People in

Page 20
developing countries spend an average of 5-6 hours per day gathering fuelwood and cooking
over open fires, limiting their development opportunities. Traditional cookstoves, used by 3
billion people, are only 10% efficient and cause grave health problems and contribute to
deforestation. High reliance on biomass for cooking in many countries means that women and
children without clean cooking access spend an average of 1.4 hours/day collecting fuel. In 2018
according to a report by W.H.O estimates household air pollution is responsible for 3.8 million
premature deaths every year, concentrated in countries with high reliance on biomass and coal
for cooking. If everyone in the world would have access to clean cooking, we could solve many
of today’s pressing global challenges. In the subcontinent according to WHO development
indicator in the year 2016, 41.06% of Indians and 43.32% Pakistani, and 54.34% of people in the
entire world can access clean fuel and technology for cooking purposes. Clean cooking is also a
global campaign to make clean cooking a global priority. So far for the betterment of humans,
we need to shift towards clean cooking technologies and discuss below the types of cookstoves
that are used for the solutions.

1.9.1. Traditional Cookstoves:

Traditional stoves, including rudimentary open fires (e.g., three-stone fires), are locally
produced using available and low-cost materials such as stones, ceramics, clay, and bricks. The
stoves also utilize readily available fuels such as wood, agriculture residue, or charcoal

Low efficiency and high particulate matter (PM)

Also methane is emitted, a potent for Green House Gases, also gathering firewood can cause
deforestation, especially the production of charcoal.

Figure 1. 11 Traditional Cookstove (clay stove)

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1.9.2. Improved Biomass Cookstoves:

Typically, higher efficiency and lower and lower particulate matter emissions than traditional
stoves. Improvements include chimney/forced air exhausts, or closed combustion chamber.

1.9.2.1. Rocket Stoves:

These cookstoves have an insulated, L-shaped combustion chamber that improves combustion of
gases and smoke inside the stove also incorporate design elements to improve heat transfer
efficiency and to direct the flow of hot gases to the pot or griddle using insulation and narrow
channels. Production of rocket stoves can range from centrally mass products to local artisanal
products.

Figure 1. 12 Rocket Cookstove (L Shaped)

1.9.2.2. Plancha (griddle) Cookstoves:

This type of cookstoves is designed where a hot flat surface is required to prepare meals
designed to enclose the fire, direct hot flue gases to the metal or stone surface for efficient
cooking, and often to vent any emission via a chimney. The design varies from built-in place
models to prefabricated modular stove the are easy to install can use all forms of
biomass/charcoal and pellets/briquettes.

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 Figure 1. 13 Plancha (griddle) Stoves

1.9.2.3. Gasifier/TLUD Cookstove:

Gasifier stoves force the gases and smoke that result from incomplete combustion of biomass
fuels back into the cookstove’s flame, until almost complete combustion has occurred, resulting
in very few, if any emissions. Gasifiers stoves are also TOP LIT UPDRAFT (TLUP) stoves
because some fuel is lit from the top of the stove, which forces combustible gases to pass through
the flame.

Gasifier stoves can also include a fan, to improves the mixing of flame, gas, and smoke and to
reduce emissions.

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 Figure1. 14 Gasifier top-lit updraft

1.9.2.4. Biogas Stove:

Biogas is also known as “Gobar Gas”. Biogas is a combination of gases obtained from the
breakdown of biomass (organic matter) in the absence of air as known as anaerobic such as
animal dung, human excreta & plant waste. It is the combination of Methane (65-70%), Carbon
dioxide (25-30%), 5% water, and some other gases. In warm tropical countries with 1kg of cattle
MJ
dung, almost 40 Lit of Biogas can be produced. The calorific value of Biogas is 20 and
m3
having the ability to burn in conventional Biogas stoves. Biogas stoves are like conventional
stoves but there is a slight difference in the size of burner holes. The main components of Biogas
stoves are Legs, Burner cap, support frame, Gas intake pipe, Mixing tube, injector, and Air
control valve.

The size of the burner hole in biogas is slightly larger than that in the conventional stove around
3mm to 6mm in diameter. These stoves are very small and have no more than 2 burners and are
usually portable. Biogas is also used in stoves for cooking and the gas lamp for lighting,
refrigeration, and incubators, coffee roasters, drier, baking oven, and water heater.

The ignition temperature of Biogas is between 650°C to 750 °C and it 20% lighter than air.
Household biogas burner requires approximately 200-450 liters of biogas per hour. The gas
requirement for cooking per person lies between 300 and 900 liters per day.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Biogas Stoves:

Advantages of Biogas Stove:

Biogas stoves provide instant heat upon ignition, no preheating of fuel or waiting time is
needed.

 In most Biogas burners the flow rate can be regulated to turn down the firepower from high to
small low heat of simmering.

Biogas burns very cleanly.

Burning biogas releases fewer greenhouse gases than if the dung was left on the ground to
decompose naturally.

Disadvantages of Biogas Stoves:

 Initial cost for Biomass digester is more

 Dirty smell is produced in the surrounding area of the stove

 Cultural rules might limit the acceptance or handling of dung or fees and their use for cooking.

Transportation of Biogas is difficult through pipes and storage of Biogas in the cylinder which
is also not easy.

 Cooking with Biogas stoves requires the change of cooking habits, which might prevent the
adoption.

Figure 1. 15 Top views of Biogas stove

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 Figure 1. 16 Front views of Biogas stove

1.9.2.5. Ethanol/Alcohol Cookstove:

Ethanol is a liquid biofuel that can be made of a variety of feedstocks including sugary materials
(e.g sugar cane, molasses, sugar beet, or sweet sorghum), starchy materials (e.g. cassava
(manioc), potatoes, or maize), or cellulosic materials (e.g. wood, grasses, and many agricultural
residues) using a variety of conversion processes. Many new feedstocks are under development,
such as algae, kelp, and other wild or non-wild cultivated crops.

Figure 1. 17 Ethanol cookstoves

1.9.2.6. Induction Cooker:

Induction means generating electricity with the help of magnetism. Induction cooktops use an
electromagnetic field to heat a pan while leaving the cooking surface cool to touch and without

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heating the air around the cooktop. Induction cooktops heat a cooking vessel by electrical
induction, not by thermal flame. An Alternating electric current is passed through a copper coil
underneath the cooking surface. Due to AC, the fluctuation of the magnetic field is produced
around the cooktop. When we put a pan on an induction cooktop, the pan is heated by a magnetic
field instead of heating the bottom of the pan with help of a flame or electric heating element.

Advantages:
*Easier to clean, fast on and off.

*Forty percentage faster than gas.

*Not catching fire.

*Only the surface which is in contact with induction is heated.

*Induction cookers only heat ferromagnet’s like cast iron or stainless-steel metals pots only.

*Timer facility is available in induction cooktops.

Disadvantages of Induction Cooker:

*No copper, aluminum, glass-based utensil can be used.

*Glass top is very fragile; it can break due to heavy impact.

*Iron plate heavy utensil can be used.

*No roti/chapati making.

*It produces humming sounds.

*Consumes a high amount of electricity.

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1.10. SOLAR COOKER:
The solar cooker is a device by which we can cook food and boil water by using solar energy
gained through the radiation of the sun. Many solar cooking devices are inexpensive, low tech,
and very easy to operate. Because they do not require any type of fuel, many organizations are
promoting this to reduce air pollution caused by the burning of different fuels. Deforestation is
one of the main problems that the world is facing nowadays, it can be reduced by the use of solar
cookers.

The cooked food that we get by solar cooking is normally cooked very slow than ordinary
cooking. And it usually takes twice the time as ordinary cooking but it has many advantages on
this. Food that is cooked by this, normally keeps its flavor and nutrients maintained.

We have a different type of solar cookers due to their principle of working. Some are very simple
to construct as well as operate but they require time in cooking. On the other hand, others are
very complex in construction but they have rapid cooking and need enough attention to cooking
food.

1.10.1. WORKING PRINCIPLES:

The working principle is very simple to operate a solar cooker. There are three principles on
which a solar cooker works.

1.10.1.1. Concentrating sunlight:

According to geometry, Sunlight could be concentrated in several ordered to get high
temperature. For the domestic purpose, we do not need enough temperature. Normally
temperature ranges from 600C to 4000C.

1.10.1.2. Converting light energy to heat energy:

Sunlight that is concentrated on a plate, named the “absorbing plate”, is converted into heat
energy, and this heat energy is used in the cooking process. Normally the plate is painted black
and we can make this process efficient by using the material that can retain energy for longer
periods.

1.10.1.3. Trapping heat energy:

It is important to retain heat energy into the cooker. For this, we use a glass lid that isolates
inside air to the outer air which reduces the convection process and also produces a greenhouse
effect inside the cooking chamber and helps in retaining heat energy. This glass lid is called
‘’Glazing Glass”.

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1.11. TYPES OF SOLAR COOKER:
Based on construction and working principles the solar cooker is categorized into three basic
types

Solar Box Cooker

Parabolic Solar Cooker

Vacuum Tube Solar Cooker

1.11.1.BOX COOKER:
Box solar cooker is the most common type of solar cooker that is using in the world. It is very
simple in construction as well as in operation. It consists of an absorbing plate, trapping glass,
and a fully insulated chamber. We can cook food into this at moderate temperature ranges from
900C to 1500C. We can easily place food into it by removing the glass lid on the top. Presently
hundreds and thousands of people are using such type of cookers in India & China. But the
number of users of the box cooker in Pakistan is comparatively very less.

Figure 1.18 Box type of solar cooker

Advantages:
Simple material is used in construction.

While cooking there is no need to follow the sun path.

Various types of food can be cooked at the same time.

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 Disadvantages
We cannot fry food into it because the cooking temperature we can attain through this is
moderate.
Less potable than other cookers.

1.11.2. PARABOLIC SOLAR COOKER:

Parabolic Cooker looks like a parabolic satellite dish. In a parabolic solar cooker, the bow-
shaped reflector is used to concentrate sun rays onto the pot that is spotted in the center of the
reflector. The parabolic name refers to the shape of its curved section. This type normally
requires reorientation, possibly every 10 minutes. High temperature can be obtained at about
2000C that is higher than other types of solar cookers.

Figure 1.19 Parabolic solar cooker

Advantages:
Cooking time is similar to a stove.
Food can be grilled and fried because we can get higher temperatures.
Disadvantage:
We require a periodic reorientation of this about every 10 minutes.

Parabolic Solar Cookers are more expensive than other types of the cooker.

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1.11.3. VACUUM TYPE SOLAR COOKER:
The vacuum tube solar cooker is made of double glass for the baking chamber. This type is also
known as a trough-type solar cooker. In this type, food is placed into a vacuum tube surrounded
by a parabolic reflector. The vacuum retains heat into the chamber and increases its temperature
to about 2870C.

Figure 1. 20 Vacuum type of solar cooker

Advantages:
It has very compact packing.
Sunlight can be gathered and focus on a single line therefore higher temperature can be
obtained.
Disadvantages:
It requires careful handling to avoid thermal shocks and breakage of the glass tube.
Glass technology limit the size of the opening of the baking chamber.

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1.12. WHY WE SELECTED SOLAR BOX COOKER?

As we know already that solar energy, which is a result of nuclear fusion reactions occurring on
the surface of the sun and the heat which is continuously dissipated in these infinitely occurring
reactions upon reaching the surface of the Earth is a source of free and environmentally clean
energy. Therefore, solar energy is also regarded as one of the most potential holding
alternatives of energy recourses options.

Solar energy is available in an abundant quantity most of the year in tropic regions such as that
of South-Asian countries like Pakistan, India & Bangladesh. And is regarded as a sustainable
source of energy that can partially or completely reduce the dependency on conventional fuels
for at least domestic cooking purposes in the rural areas of such states.

Although there are more than 65 various types of Solar Cookers available and more than a
hundred with modifications or combinations of fore mentioned types. We have for our
experimental analysis, after a thorough analysis considered opting for the use of “Solar Box
Cooker Type” during our complete research.

1.12.1. COMPARISON WITH SOLAR PANEL COOKER:

Figure 1.21 Comparison of Solar Panel Cooker & Solar Box Cooker ADVANTAGES:
*Solar panel Cookers are the easiest and least expensive type of Solar Cookers and can be made
from commonly available materials.

*These cookers do not require alignments as compared to Solar parabolic Cookers.

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DISADVANTAGES:
*These cookers do not reach up to high cooking temperatures due to the reduced insulating
capability. And with slow cooking periods can reach temperatures between 200-250 F.

*Winds affect the cooking temperatures substantially in such types of cookers due to
convection effects.

1.12.2. COMPARISON WITH SOLAR PARABOLIC COOKERS:

Figure 1. 22 Comparison of Solar Parabolic Cooker & Solar Box Cooker

ADVANTAGES:
*Solar Parabolic Cookers can cook at higher temperatures as compared to box or panel cookers
and therefore can also be used for grilling and frying.

*Temperatures obtained through such types of cookers lie between 260-370 o C in a very short
period.

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DISADVANTAGES:
*The biggest drawback of parabolic types of cookers is that they need to be frequently adjusted
as per their angle and directions for maximum cooking efficiency.

*Chances of scorching/burning food are higher due to concentrated solar power.

*In comparison, the amount of food that can be cooked in parabolic cookers for one time of
day is less as compared to panel and box cookers due to the small size of the cooking pot or
pan.

*Safety precautions need to be specially taken when handling parabolic cookers as due to high
cooking temperatures burning of skin or damage to the eye can occur by reflected solar rays.

1.12.3. SOLAR BOX COOKER:

ADVANTAGES:
*Solar Box Cookers can maintain temperatures around 200-350 Fahrenheit for longer time
durations due to insulated and airtight cooking area.

*In terms of equipment handling this type of cooker is comparatively safe and requires very
little supervision as there are very few chances of burning the food.

*While cooking food this type of cooker can be left unattended for long periods due to greater
heat retention and no need for adjusting the cooker angle frequently.

* Solar box cookers are generally more stable due to their larger base and weight, therefore
they have very few chances of tipping over.

*Solar box cookers when properly insulated and air-tightened, can provide more efficient and
higher cooking temperatures.

DISADVANTAGES:
*Solar Box Cookers are generally more complex in manufacturing as compared to Solar Panel Cookers.

*Cooking temperatures obtained in Solar Box Cookers are not high enough to fry or grill foods, which is
easily possible in parabolic-type cookers.

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1.12.4. CONCLUSION:
As discussed above in detail the comparison of each of the three major types of solar cookers, we have
opted to use “Solar Box Cooker” for our experimental analysis. This type of Solar Cooker was selected
upon the multiple advantages it holds as compared to the rest of the cooker types whilst also being the
most compatible and user friendly with the consumer we hope to reach towards especially in the rural
areas.

Solar Panel Cookers might however be simpler in designs or less expensive when it comes to cost but the
cooking temperatures, they can attain are comparatively less as compared to the Box Cooker types.
Also, wind currents adversely affect the temperature range as the cooker type is an open type which
causes the cooking duration to be increased which might not suit most household routines.

On the other hand, Parabolic Solar Cookers do easily reach higher temperatures in a very short period
but have to be regularly oriented for maximum performance. Similarly, due to very high temperatures
attained because of concentrated solar power on the cooking pot, scorching/burning of food is very
easy. Therefore because of these factors not only do Parabolic Solar Cookers require someone to be
present at all times during operations but the user also has to be highly skilled or trained in terms of
handling the equipment as a slight mistake can also harm the user due to high material temperatures.

Solar Box Cookers, might not attain very high temperatures as compared to “Parabolic Types” but are
user-friendly devices and do not have to be reoriented after every couple of minutes to give optimal
performance. Cooking durations of Box Type Cookers might be a bit longer than Panel Type Cookers but
the heat retention is very high comparatively. Also, since the Box Cooker is well insulated and protected
from the external environment with only a top glazing glass to allow solar radiation to enter, shift in
wind currents is not an issue that might affect the overall cooking. All these factors contribute to making
the Box Cooker the safest and the most suitable to be used for an average household especially in the
rural areas to meet their daily cooking needs for an average-sized family for at least one or two meals
per day. Although this type of cooking is still not a complete replacement for conventional fuels, it can
significantly reduce how much we rely on them.

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1.13. BENEFITS OF SOLAR COOKING:
Solar cooking has various health, economic and environmental benefits. Some of the
advantages are:
1-Health Benefits.
2-Economical.
3-Reduced Carbon Emissions.
4-Reduction in Deforestation.

1.13.1. HEALTH BENEFITS:

Following are some of the mentioned health problems and ways of how solar cooking is used to
diminish them:

1.13.1.1. SMOKE-FREE COOKING:

Recent studies have revealed that toxic smoke coming from the burning of fuelwood is
considered to be responsible for a number of respiratory diseases. According to World Health
Organization (WHO), every year approximately 1.5 million women and children die from the
inhaling of such toxic gases.

This is mostly observed in rural areas, where

women opt to cook using fuelwood due to the
shortage and high cost of other conventional
fuels such as LPG’s. Solar cooking provides relief
from such respiratory diseases by cooking
smoke-free meals and can be a complete or
partial replacement for cooking meals with
conventional fuels such as firewood for rural
areas.

Figure 1.23 Emission of toxic gases from burning of fuel wood

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1.13.1.2. GLAUCOMA:
Glaucoma is an eye condition that occurs when the optic nerve is damaged, due to either high
pressures or from contact with toxic gases. The health of these optic nerves is very important
for good vision and glaucoma is responsible for blindness problems in people over the age of
60.

Of the total fuel and timber wood produced annually, more than 50% of it is used for domestic
cooking purposes due to the high poverty rate of our country. When this fuelwood is burned for
cooking purposes, especially in indoor cooking, it releases toxic gases which can cause
glaucoma upon frequent contact with the human eye. This is especially dangerous and harmful
for the women and children in rural areas that have a high chance of contracting this disease.

Figure 1.24 Glaucoma- A blindness disorder arising from frequent contact of eye with toxic gases.

Solar cooking is therefore a good alternative that helps to prepare food on daily basis without
ever exposing the risk of getting any such health disease as there are no toxic gases produced
through solar cooking.

1.13.1.3. POLLUTED DRINKING WATER:

Endemic water-borne diseases such as guinea worm can result due to drinking polluted water.
In urban areas, this is not that common due to the availability of mineral and purified water.
But in rural areas, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Fortunately, with the help
of solar cookers, apart from cooking purposes they can also be used to pasteurize water and
eliminate any such chance of drinking infected water.

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1.13.2. COST EFFECTIVE:
Solar cooking is quite economical when compared to using conventional fuels. As there are no
expenses on fuel for daily cooking because solar energy is free to use and also abundant in
quantity. Solar cookers require only a small initial investment and throughout their working,
they help to save costs that would have been spent on the purchase of conventional fuels. This
initial cost of the solar cooker is also recovered in early 3-5 years from conventional fuel
savings. Since the Solar Cooker has no moving parts it is also a low-maintenance run device. The
main benefit of Solar Cooking is that it reduces expenditure on conventional fuels and therefore
contributes to other factors such as health benefits, less deforestation.

1.13.3. REDUCED CARBON EMISSIONS:

Solar Cooking is the solution for the increasing levels of carbon emissions worldwide. Solar
Cooking is an emission-free cooking technique and it certainly doesn’t emit CO 2 gases because it
does not burn any fossil fuel for cooking. For tropic countries like Pakistan, where sunlight is
available in abundant quantities all-year-round solar cooking is a great way to not only reduce
carbon footprints but also as a result solar cooking can help to save on energy bills.

Apart from the carbon emissions, solar cooking also gives a nutritional benefit. Because in solar
cooking especially “Solar Box Cookers” the food is prepared gently and it takes time to heat up
and retains this heat for longer periods without burning. Because of this the nutritional values
of the food are preserved and can be fully consumed by the human body thus giving better
nourishment and health benefits.

1.13.4. REDUCTION IN DEFORESTATION:

According to a report conducted by the National Environment Information System (NEIMS), in
Pakistan, approximately 4.72 million hectares of the land mass is covered with forests which
makes up roughly 3.36%. Similarly, a report by DAWN highlights that the increased
deforestation has been occurring in Pakistan at an alarming rate of 0.2-0.5% per annum, which
is the world’s highest rate of deforestation. This means that Pakistan is facing a 4-6% decline in
its wood biomass per annum. This is surely an alarming rate and if continued to happen, then in
a few years only we can completely lose all of our forests.

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Figure 1.25 Annual Tree Cover Loss by Dominant Driver in Pakistan

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also states that only 5.7% of land or 4.54 million hectares of the
landmass is covered with forests in Pakistan which is very low as compared to the
recommended cover of at least 25%. The major reason for deforestation is the increasing need
for fuelwood for cooking purposes in rural areas. Pakistan is a region of mountains and glaciers
and is, therefore, more vulnerable to climatic changes as a result of deforestation. In recent
years, we have witnessed the early effects of such climatic changes due to deforestation such as
the harsh weather conditions and intermittent flash floods. To reduce the deforestation rate,
one method is to reduce the dependency on fuelwood for cooking purposes which can be easily
replaced by Solar Cooking. Solar Cooking will not only be an alternative to fuelwood for cooking
but also ease off the pressure with which our forests were being timbered.

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Figure 1.26 Tree Cover Loss in Pakistan from 2001-2019

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