Integrating Improved Sustainable Technologies into the Heart of the Home — The Kitchen
EPA Grant Number: SU835088Title: Integrating Improved Sustainable Technologies into the Heart of the Home — The Kitchen
Investigators: Bormann, Noel E , Ferro, Patrick D , Stevens, Christopher E. , London, Mara , Nowak, Paul
Current Investigators: Bormann, Noel E , Ferro, Patrick D , Stevens, Christopher E. , Matsumoto, Andrew , Bannister, Ethan , London, Mara , Walter, Melanie , Nowak, Paul , Elmenhurst, Sidney , Fry, Spencer
Institution: Gonzaga University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2011 through August 14, 2012
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Develop a simple ventilation system for kitchens in rural dwellings using electrical power generated from thermoelectric cells driven by waste heat from cooking fires. Develop and test a ceramic drinking water filter system that uses less fuel-wood to fire the kiln. Test the performance of a biofuel for cooking made from corn stover as a replacement for fuel-wood. A systematic integration of these technical developments will provide an effective and innovative approach to health challenges in the home.
Approach:
The project will integrate technologies to: better the health of women and children via improved indoor air quality, develop a new and improved geometry for a ceramic water filter system, and enhance sustainability by reducing the amount of fuel-wood consumed for cooking and the production of filters. An electrical fan powered by a thermoelectric cell mounted on the cooking hearth will provide ventilation in the kitchen and improve the health of the inhabitants. A ceramic drinking water filter with improved manufacturability and simpler shipping requirements will reduce the need for fuel-wood in the kilns. The potential for use of a sustainable cooking fuel made from corn stover will reduce demands on the planet and having lower costs promises to increase the prosperity of the household and the communities.
Expected Results:
Students in the capstone design course sequence will produce a proof-of-concept implementation of the project devices as a course requirement, and will present the results both at the annual Gonzaga Center for Engineering Design Project Exposition and the Annual National Sustainable Design Expo. A publication will be prepared on the project findings.