Currently the fuel pellets are manufactured in a centralized location and then transported to areas where there is a requirement. This system that is adopted today has its flaws, some of which are mentioned below.

• The centralized production of the pellets does not allow for rapid expansion of the stove market since beyond a certain area the transportation cost of the pellets becomes unviable. Hence the supply of pellets for a specific area has to be ensured before entering the market.
• Centralized production also increases the cost of production (due to increased overheads, transportation etc.) and packaging.
• The continuous supply of pellets to customers can falter if the plant for any reason stops supplying the same.
• It doesn’t valorize local wastes and doesn’t offer an occasion to generate local livelihoods
• There is a net transfer of resources from the village to urban/ industrial centers thus continuing with the existing iniquitous and detrimental terms of trade between the 2 entities and perpetuating poverty.

In order to overcome the problems of centralized production, decentralized pellet production was our obvious solution. The machine envisaged will produce pellets for a certain locus of customers and will be affordable enough for local entrepreneurs to take it up as a business venture. This will not only reduce the cost of pellets drastically but also has the potential to ignite a local industry.  Its available in 1 HP and 3 HP models.(see figure in Gallery)

Specifications for 1 HP Model:

• Volts: 220 – 240 AC
• Frequency: 50 Hz
• Ampere: 7
• Ambiance: 40 degree
• RPM: 1440
• Phase: Single
• KW: 0.75
• Output production / hr: 10 to 14 kg / hr

Specifications for 3 HP Model:

• Volt s - 220 – 240 AC
• Frequency: 50 Hz
• Ampere: 15
• Ambiance: 40 degree
• RPM: 1440
• Phase: Single
• KW: 2.25
• Output production / hr: 16 to 20 kg / hr

Raw materials used (dry and pulverized – moisture contents 11 to 15%):

1. Ground nut shell
2. Soya dust
3. Wood dust
4. Bagases
5. Grass
6. Rise husk
7. Coconut (coir)

Conclusions:

• The cooking energy need in low income households can be met in a clean and renewable way through the use of the Agni Biomass stove
• The Stove is perfectly suitable to a typical rural household as has been proven by our field tests
• There are certain technical difficulties (battery discharge, pellet supply etc.) that are hindering the pace at which we would like to implement this project
• These problems can be overcome through the development “natural updraft stove” model and the “decentralized pelletizer”.  This would greatly increase the overall economic viability of the “Biomass stove” project.

Nike