SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities
Summary. This paper presents SPEAR, a low-cost solar-powered pyrolysis reactor designed for rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The system converts agricultural waste into biochar for soil improvement and generates electricity for energy access. The design achieves 72% optical efficiency and produces at least 5 kg of biochar daily. Financial analysis shows positive returns in most scenarios, making it competitive with small-scale solar systems while delivering environmental and social benefits.
Cite this article
Caputo, C., & Mašek, O.. (2021). SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082189
Caputo, Cesare, and Ondřej Mašek. “SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities.” Energies, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082189.
Caputo, Cesare, and Ondřej Mašek. 2021. “SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities.” Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082189.
@article{caputo-2021-spear-solar-pyrolysis-energy-access,
title = {SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities},
author = {Cesare Caputo and Ondřej Mašek},
journal = {Energies},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.3390/en14082189},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082189}
}
TY - JOUR TI - SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities AU - Cesare Caputo AU - Ondřej Mašek JO - Energies PY - 2021 DO - 10.3390/en14082189 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082189 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.3390/en14082189
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Regions
- Europe
- Categories
- energy, climate-and-environment, agtech
- Added
- 2026-04-28