REDI - sharing renewable energy

In 1985 Waclaw Micuta published "Modern Stoves for All", a collection of much of the work done in this field.

In third world countries much of the used oil from engines is disposed of in the ground. This contamination is an environmental problem.

A good solution to avoid this pollution is to use this oil which has a useful fuel value.

The device shown here (shown open from above) can be used to heat premises in cold regions, for drying fruits and vegetables in tropical regions, to sterilize water for drinking or medical purposes, and in cooking. High temperature variants can be used in small scale production facilites.

This stove and its cooking pot with lid is made of recuperated 50 gal. oil drums. The fire box is manufactured out of concrete iron rods, cut and welded to measure. Two drums are needed to produce a complete stove. The stove, used for cooking in refugee camps, is particularly useful for washing linen in hospitals and dispensaries, as the alcaline washing liquid prevents rusting of the steel metal sheet. The draught is regulated by placing the stove's door at different heights.

The main function of this stove is heating of premises. Cooking is done either in a specially designed pot (max. recuperation of heat) or in any other flat bottomed pot that can be placed on the heating plate.

Under the auspices of the International Comitee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organisations, 100,000 of these stoves were produced around Zagreb in 1992/93 and distributed in Bosnia Herzegovina, mostly to hospitals, schools and other institutions as well as among refugee and displaced persons. A similar type of action was carried out under ICRC in Chechnia in 1996.

These burners work without pressure tank, air pump or wicks. Fuel (paraffin, aviation kerosene or diesel oils) enters the burner under gravitation and burns after gazification. The power is regulated by the height of the fuel container. A simple construction makes production possible in developing countries at minimal cost. The model presented here delivers 10 kW for a large family or community, a smaller model delivers 2 kW.

REDI has developed recently a new model of burner. This last model, still under development, pushes simplicity and easiness of manufacture to new limits. It is pictured herunder.

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In developing countries wood is the main, if not the only source of energy available for cooking and heating. Its excessive consumption contributes to a rapid rate of deforestation and desertification. Deforestation and desertification in faraway countries will, ultimately, also adversely influence the climate in other parts of the world.