Research Article

Production processes and statistical analysis of ceramic liner-hole parameters for sustainability and improved thermal efficiency of clean biomass stoves

¹ Technology Consultancy Centre, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

^* e-mail: gyobeng.coe@knust.edu.gh

Received: 14 March 2021
Received in final form: 29 June 2021
Accepted: 30 June 2021

Abstract

In engineering, ceramic liners are used as heat retention, insulation, and wear-resistant components for industrial and domestic applications. However, due to lack of production standards, particularly under small industrial operations, there is variation in liner-hole diameter and inter-hole spacing of liners used in clean biomass stoves. This study assessed the production processes and analysed ceramic liner-hole diameters and inter-hole spacings for standardisation. Standardising liner-hole parameters is a major process towards sustainability and improved efficiency. Methods employed were − material composition, particle size distribution analysis, study of production processes, and 51 liner-hole diameters and 66 inter-holes spacing were randomly sampled and analysed. The results indicated material composition of clay (70%), sand (23%), and sawdust (7%) of various particle sizes. A flow chart diagram of 7 production processes was created for standardisation. At 95% C.I, liner-hole diameter of Ø20.8 ± 2(0.66) mm and inter-hole spacing of 27.5 ± 2(1.06) mm were determined. Mean liner-hole diameter of Ø21.03 mm resulted in a relatively high thermal efficiency, η_T =37%. For practical applications, liner-hole diameter of Ø21 mm and inter-hole spacing of 30 mm are recommended. Standardising the production processes and the liner-hole parameters will contribute to sustainable production and thermal efficiency improvement.