Biofuel Based Cooker for Low-Income Families

1. Biofuel Based Cooker for Low-Income Families EDSGN 100 Section 007 Group 6: Nick Boguslaw Mike Fowler Joseph Tarazi Kristen Long Brian Friend

2. Abstract • The current cooking system in Kenya, the Jiko is outdated, unreliable and inefficient. • Many graduates of the CYEC have little hopes of finding a sustainable, worthwhile career. • Many harmful emissions escape from the present cooking system causing illness in children Solutions • Update manufacturing process of Jiko, employ CYEC graduates • Find optimal mixtures for Jiko ceramics and metals, increasing durability • Teach proper use of improved Jiko to prevent inhaling of harmful emissions

3. Table of Contents • Cover Page • Abstract • Table of Contents • Description of Task • The Original Product • Design Approach • Possible Solutions • Decision matrix • Final Design • Prototype • Engineering Analysis • Risk Analysis

4. Description of Task • Problem: • Current design for Jiko is outdated • CYEC graduates have limited job opportunities • Harmful emissions are causing respiratory illness • Design Specifications (Constraints) • Must create a viable business model • Product must remain affordable (2-4 dollars) • Product manufactured close to consumer • Kenya has poor infrastructure, high transportation costs • Improve durability of current cooking system • Make use of biofuel as the fuel source

5. The Original Product • The Jiko is widespread, accepted, and engrained in Kenyan culture. • Having said that they are: • Manufactured by individuals who learned to make them through trial and error • Made from scrap metal or random material on hand • Wide lifetime range (a few months to a few years) • Inefficiently uses biofuels

6. Design ApproachCustomer Needs Assessment • Main customer is a Kenyan mother • Very busy raising family + tending to farm • Scavenges for wood to use as fuel • Sells leftover food for small profit at market

7. Design Approach • Product cost must remain below $4.00 • Durability is Key • Gain market share by marketing a more reliable, durable product • Efficiently uses Biofuels (Charcoal and Wood) • Decreases cooking times

8. Possible Solutions • Updated Jiko • Streamline manufacturing process and set standard mixtures for ceramics and metals • Tree Farm • CYEC graduates would be hired by the government to grow and maintain forests to increases biofuel production (Assumes the continued use of the Jiko)

9. Possible Solutions • Briquette Making Industry • CYEC graduates produce briquettes which can be sold (Assumes the continued use of the Jiko) • Solar Cooker • Uses the sun to heat foods, possibly avoiding the use of biofuels

10. Decision Matrix

11. Final Design • Updated Jiko • Streamline manufacturing process and set standard mixtures for ceramics and metals • Set up training seminar to teach and certify CYEC grads in the proper steps of making and marketing the improved Jiko • Stress the importance of the CYEC grads explaining proper use of the new Jiko to consumer • Use improved and consistent mixture for metal alloy • Use improved and consistent mixture for ceramics • Create standard process for baking of ceramics • Create larger cooking space while using a shape that retains more heat

12. Final Design • Brand the improved Jiko • Market it as being more durable, using less fuel, and saving on cooking time. • Have CYEC grads work as sales specialists pushing our model

13. Prototype Pot supporters Trademarked formula ceramic interior Ceramic grate Fuel chamber Ash reciprocal Homogeneous metal exterior

14. Prototype

15. Engineering Analysis • Works similarly to the existing Jiko but with reduced emissions and is made of more durable material • Families will benefit from the increased durability • Will last for at least 6-8 years • Able to sell for 2-4 dollars so it is affordable for the Kenyan families • Easy to produce for mass sale • Will decrease cooking time • Families will have more time to tend to farming and any other responsibilites

16. Risk Analysis