Experimental analysis of thermal performance, power and emissions of liquid petroleum gas stoves at altitudes between 2200 and 4200 meters

The results of an experimental analysis of thermal efficiency, power and emissions of liquefied petroleum gas stoves at altitudes between of 2200 and 4200 meters in Peru are presented. Five representative locations between these altitudes were chosen. A module designed and implemented for data collection was employed and reference international technical standards were used for calculating thermal efficiency, power and emissions. The results show that the prototype stove highly exceeds the three aspects compared to commercial stoves. It is concluded that power, thermal efficiency and emissions vary according to the altitude above sea level, which shows that in designing commercial stoves altitude was not considered. It was also observed that using the proposed stove prototype it is possible to achieve thermal efficiency higher than 50% and emissions below 0.15% (CO)N.