Abstract
Informal fixed-bed coal-burning braziers are used
extensively in low-income communities of South
Africa for space-heating and cooking needs. An
investigation was carried out on the effects of coal
moisture content and coal quality on the thermal
and emissions performance of domestic coal-burning
braziers in three field-procured braziers (with
three different air ventilation rates), using the bottom-
lit updraft (BLUD) and top-lit updraft (TLUD)
ignition methods. Results showed that an increase in
coal moisture content (from 2.4 wt.% to 8.6 wt.%)
led to 18% and 30% decreases in fire-power when
using the TLUD and BLUD methods, respectively.
The combustion efficiency increased by 25% with
an increase in moisture content. Measured carbon
monoxide (CO) emission factors increased with an
increase in moisture content, while carbon dioxide
(CO2) emission factors remained unchanged. The
use of A-grade coal resulted in a 49% increase in
PM emissions compared with D-grade coal at high
ventilation rates, despite no statistically significant
differences (p > 0.05) in CO and CO2 emission factors
produced between coal grades.