Every year we collect from the field all the institutional improved cook stoves (IICS) of 30 litres capacity that were installed in different schools back in 2016. We follow the Water Boiling Test (WBT) protocol to ensure the thermal efficiency is still performing at its highest. Imagine these IICS have been in use for the past 7 years. Nevertheless their thermal efficiency is above 27% because we repair them every year. If we didn’t, then their combustion chamber would be totally destroyed, and their thermal efficiency would go down to 10%, consuming a lot of firewood just like a 3-stone fireplace.
Prior the testing exercise taking place, all the equipment used is calibrated at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The firewood was purchased with 6 month in advance, to ensure the optimal water moisture content.