Bosch Launches Plant Oil Stove
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 09.27.06
A couple of months ago we mentioned Protos, a stove fueled by sustainable and renewable plant oil (which can also run on used fryer oil and kerosene) under evaluation in the Philippines. After testing in 100 households and small restaurants since the end of 2004, the stove is a success, according to the two collaborators, Leyte State University and home appliance manufacturer Bosch. Similar to a camping stove, Protos consists of a tank, a pump, a frame, a valve, a fuel line, and a burner. But all the materials are designed to meet the high temperatures the burner maintains—up to 1,400 °C—to ensure continuous vaporization and combustion with minimal emissions and soot formation. With Protos, the company hopes to replace traditional three-stone fireplaces, reduce carcinogenic emissions, prevent deforestation, and provide a cheaper means of preparing food in developing countries. “Taking responsibility for society includes—for Bosch—emphasizing ethical values, developing ecologically and socially sustainable as well as innovative products, and being a good neighbor worldwide,” says Dr. Kurt-Ludwig Gutberlet, president and CEO of BSH, Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate. ::Bosch
I have a multifuel outdoor stove. Does anybody have any experience on running such a gadget with vegetable oil? Would be handy, no petrol/gasoline* smell, only one bottle for cooking oil and fuel.
*choose your side of the pond
Treehugger Editors: I searched for a story on the Rocket Stove on TH, but didn't find nuffin'. A stove that could be fabricated out of local cheap materials, and run off any available fuel rather than processed plant oils would be FAR more valuable for the developing world than this stove. Thanks for looking in to it.
" designed to meet the high temperatures the burner maintains—up to 1,400 °C " . You need to check those numbers again. That's 2552°F - the melting point of steel.
How can i get a sampal of one PROTOS STOVE need for my country Kenya we Have a lot of Problems in Rural Kenya..
Please may I know the calorific value of th efuel and th eefficiency data of the stove?
Tulpi
I am researching plant oil stove - technology, and would like to know how they define success here? The picture looks like it is quite expensive, compared to stoves in developing countries (range of 5-15 USD). Affordability may be an issue; but more importantly, how do users procure plant-oil? These questions put a serious damper to the prospect, but I am willing to share knowledge on this front. I am based in India at this point, and would be interested to share information with others who are researching in this area. Regards.
what is the proceedure of lowering the viscosity in the setup coz until and unless the viscosity is lowred the flow won't be proper and the burning at the nozzle won't be possible if an adequate efficiency is to be employed