Design and performance characteristics of a solar box cooker with phase change material: A feasibility study for Uttarakhand region, India

Abstract

• A low-cost ($55.01) box cooker is especially designed for the people of Uttarakhand region of India. • Thermal performance enhancement is achieved by using aluminum made hollow capsules and encapsulated PCM over the cooking plate. • Encapsulated PCM enhanced the heat transfer rate about 301 W/m°C between cooking plate and cooking stuff. • Cooking power and thermal efficiency are obtained about 53.21 W and 52.10%, respectively. • Feasibility analysis shows the possibility of fair adoption of the tested box cooker in India. In the present work, the thermal performance of a low-cost solar box cooker (SBC) has been improved through the concept of extended fins and heat storage medium. To achieve the goal, about 144 aluminium made small capsule shaped containers have been filled with PCM and placed horizontally over the absorber. Experiments have been conducted on the three different configurations such as, SBC without any modification, SBC with hollow capsules and SBC with an encapsulated PCM. Experimental study mainly emphasizes on a high heat transfer rate and reduced cooking times through the applied modifications. Thermal performance has been found improved by using encapsulated PCM during the cooking trials. Results showed that the last configuration is the best among the three different configurations developed for cooking experiments. Thermal efficiency has been found improved by 52.2%, heat transfer coefficient improved by 301 W/m o C, cooking power enhanced about 53.21 W, and the overall heat loss coefficient reduced about 4.11 W/m o C on the third configuration. The modified SBC purposely designed for the people from hilly regions who are unable to access the clean cooking fuels. Present design is economic ($55.01) and feasible for cooking of common edibles available in Uttarakhand and nearby regions in India. The payback period ranges from 0.80 years to 4.01 years for different fuels. Notified that the modified cooker also meets the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) developed for solar cookers.