Analysis of Bioethanol Fireplaces: Construction, Heat Energy Output, and Environmental Impact

Abstract

DARGHAM, Imane. Analysis of Bioethanol Fireplaces: Construction, Heat Energy Output, and Environmental Impact: Bachelor Thesis. Ostrava: VSB - the Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Power Engineering, 2024, 56 p. Thesis head: Ing. Jiří Ryšavý, Ph.D.

The Bachelor thesis was conducted in cooperation with the Energy Research Center, Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies, VSB. It aims to determine the actual behavior of the heat output of bioethanol burners used in bioethanol fireplaces as heat generators for domestic usage. The work at hand provides an alternative for wood burning and traditional domestic combustion units that have a leading effect on the local environment, while the bioethanol fireplace offers relatively clean combustion. To meet the research objective, a series of tests were performed using different input parameters (various fuel types with different quality, different types of burner construction, different settings of regulations flap, and different initial fuel dose). The purpose is to compare the results through each testing set through two perspectives: heat output and the amount of emitted pollutants (CO and NOx) produced during the real combustion process. Further research into bioethanol combustion units is essential because of their potential for use in the household energy mix as well as their direct contribution to indoor environmental quality.