Abstract
ABSTRACT Small-scale concentrated solar power systems have a higher levelized cost of electricity than large-scale systems. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate small-scale concentrated solar power systems, which use thermal energy directly without having to produce electricity, with particular emphasis on the use of solar cooking. The sun’s rays are reflected using a huge number of mirrors and focused on a focal point (the target), in this study, the bottom of the cooking pot. The study encompasses three main parts: 1) the design and manufacture of a small-scale central receivers model for solar cooking; 2) the installation of an automated solar tracking system; and 3) the experimental studies. The area of the proposed model is 1 m2, while the heliostat area is 0.56 m2. For the tracking procedure, the astronomical almanac method was utilized to estimate the sun’s position; this technique is not affected by ambient conditions like clouds. Despite employing normal flat mirrors and conducting the tests in inclement weather (winter), the results were excellent and suggested a possible interest. A half-liter of water took 20 minutes to heat up to the point of starting boil, and 193°C was the oil’s highest measured temperature. This result can be improved by using high-absorptivity cooking pots and specialized mirrors such as Fresnel lenses. Efficiency for the water studies varied from 50% to 76%, where a half litter took only 18 minutes to get to the highest temperature, while for a half litter of oil, efficiency was 79%.
Published Version
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