Grantee Research Project Results
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.
Supplemental Keywords:
Filtron filters, biomass fuelsRelevant Websites:
Phase 2 AbstractProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
Integrating Improved Sustainable Technologies into the Heart of the Home-the Kitchen | 2013 Progress Report | 2014 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.