Understanding Stoves


Book Description

All about understanding biomass stoves - designing, challenges, and facilitation. Anyone can make low-cost efficient stoves by reading this book. This is a pragmatic book based on the over a decade experience of the author in parts of India and abroad. This book presents the results of a decade of dedicated promotion and experimentation with fuel efficient stoves in India by my friend Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka. Sai Bhaskar’s approach has been original in many ways. He has investigated the different mixes of biomass used in different areas of India – not just fuel wood but also leaves, dung, pellets, briquettes, seeds and other materials. He then designed the different stoves accordingly. Sai Bhaskar also looked at different products from the stoves – obviously the direct heating but also the possibility of producing charcoal (Biochar) as a by-product from the stoves. This work is not lab-based but undertaken in the promotion campaigns he has been involved within Andhra Pradesh and parts of other states in India. The relevance of this work is large. Many people are and will remain dependent on local biomass for their daily needs. This issue of biomass has often associated with the degradation of the surrounding environment: the depletion of natural tree stands or the loss of nutrients to the growing cycle. It has also been associated with hardship: collecting biomass – typically by women – over large areas, and health issues because of excessive smoke from in-house fires. For all these reasons I am very happy that this book of ‘The Stove Man’ could be prepared, to share the praxis-based knowledge developed by a unique innovator and to serve as a source of inspiration and new ideas for those working in energy and development. We hope that this book gives an impulse to the constant effort to make lives better and richer. - Frank van Steenbergen, MetaMeta, Netherlands.




All About Pellet Stoves


Book Description

Discover the Warmth of a Sustainable Future with "All About Pellet Stoves" In an age where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, heating your home efficiently and eco-consciously has never been more crucial. Enter "All About Pellet Stoves," the ultimate guide by Walter Waugh, crafted to illuminate the benefits and wonders of heating with pellet stoves. Whether you're a seasoned home-heating enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this book is your gateway to a world of warmth, efficiency, and green living. Embrace the Future of Home Heating Why settle for traditional heating methods when you can explore a cleaner, greener alternative? Walter Waugh's "All About Pellet Stoves" dives deep into the world of pellet stoves, offering a comprehensive overview of their unparalleled benefits. These modern marvels are more than just heaters; they are a testament to innovation and environmental stewardship. From understanding the basic mechanics to choosing the perfect model for your home, Waugh covers every aspect of pellet stoves with clarity and insight. His engaging writing style ensures that even the most complex concepts are easily grasped, making this book a must-have resource for anyone looking to upgrade their home heating system. Inside This Comprehensive Guide: The Evolution of Pellet Stoves: Explore the history and development of pellet stoves, and discover why they have become the preferred choice for eco-conscious homeowners. Efficiency and Performance: Learn about the exceptional efficiency of pellet stoves, which convert more fuel into heat, ensuring maximum warmth with minimal waste. Economic Benefits: Delve into the cost-saving advantages of pellet stoves, from lower fuel costs to reduced maintenance expenses, making them a smart investment for your home. Environmental Impact: Understand how pellet stoves use renewable biomass materials, significantly reducing carbon footprints compared to traditional fossil fuels. Choosing the Right Stove: Get expert advice on selecting the ideal pellet stove for your specific needs, including tips on size, capacity, and features. Installation and Maintenance: Gain practical insights into installing and maintaining your pellet stove, ensuring years of efficient and trouble-free operation. Real-Life Stories: Read inspiring testimonials from homeowners who have made the switch to pellet stoves, experiencing firsthand the warmth and savings these systems provide. A Message from the Experts at Pellet-Stoves.com "All About Pellet Stoves" is proudly brought to you by the dedicated team at Pellet-Stoves.com, your trusted source for all things related to pellet heating. Our mission is to educate and empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your home heating solutions. With this book, we hope to inspire a shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and comfortable living. Why You Need This Book Eco-Friendly Heating: Discover how pellet stoves contribute to a greener planet by using renewable energy sources. Cost-Effective Solutions: Learn how to save on heating costs without sacrificing comfort and warmth. Expert Knowledge: Benefit from Walter Waugh's extensive experience and the collective wisdom of Pellet-Stoves.com. Easy-to-Understand: With clear explanations and practical advice, this book makes even complex topics accessible to everyone. Ignite Your Journey to Sustainable Living Embrace a warmer, greener future with "All About Pellet Stoves." Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, lower your heating bills, or simply learn more about this innovative technology, Walter Waugh’s insightful guide is your perfect companion. Get your copy today and start your journey towards efficient, sustainable, and comfortable home heating. Join the revolution—one pellet at a time!













Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa


Book Description

The work builds on the results of the COMPETE Bioenergy Competence Platform for Africa, which was supported by the European Commission and coordinated by WIP Renewable Energies, Germany. The five sections cover biomass production and use, biomass technologies and markets in Africa, biomass policies, sustainability, and financial and socio-economic issues. This valuable work is, in effect, a single-source treatment of a key energy sector in a part of the world which still has a lot of unrealised potential for development.




The Knowledge


Book Description

How would you go about rebuilding a technological society from scratch? If our technological society collapsed tomorrow what would be the one book you would want to press into the hands of the postapocalyptic survivors? What crucial knowledge would they need to survive in the immediate aftermath and to rebuild civilization as quickly as possible? Human knowledge is collective, distributed across the population. It has built on itself for centuries, becoming vast and increasingly specialized. Most of us are ignorant about the fundamental principles of the civilization that supports us, happily utilizing the latest—or even the most basic—technology without having the slightest idea of why it works or how it came to be. If you had to go back to absolute basics, like some sort of postcataclysmic Robinson Crusoe, would you know how to re-create an internal combustion engine, put together a microscope, get metals out of rock, or even how to produce food for yourself? Lewis Dartnell proposes that the key to preserving civilization in an apocalyptic scenario is to provide a quickstart guide, adapted to cataclysmic circumstances. The Knowledge describes many of the modern technologies we employ, but first it explains the fundamentals upon which they are built. Every piece of technology rests on an enormous support network of other technologies, all interlinked and mutually dependent. You can’t hope to build a radio, for example, without understanding how to acquire the raw materials it requires, as well as generate the electricity needed to run it. But Dartnell doesn’t just provide specific information for starting over; he also reveals the greatest invention of them all—the phenomenal knowledge-generating machine that is the scientific method itself. The Knowledge is a brilliantly original guide to the fundamentals of science and how it built our modern world.