Solar Cooker Research Articles

A Case Study of a Solar Oven’s Efficiency: An Experimental Approach

This research presents the design, construction, and experimental evaluation of a novel box-type solar oven optimized for enhanced thermal efficiency and heat retention, developed to address the challenges of sustainable cooking in temperate climates. The solar oven, measuring 120 cm × 60 cm × 45 cm, incorporates strategically designed rock wool insulation and 5 kg of steel plates as thermal mass, along with a double-glazed glass cover tilted at an experimentally optimized angle of 15° relative to the horizontal plane. Extensive experimental testing was conducted in Viseu, Portugal (40° N latitude) under varying meteorological conditions, including solar irradiance levels ranging from 400 to 900 W/m2 and wind speeds of up to 3 m/s. The results demonstrated that the oven consistently achieved internal temperatures exceeding 160 °C, with a peak temperature of 180 °C, maintaining cooking capability even during periods of intermittent cloud cover. Quantitative analysis showed that the thermal efficiency of the oven reached a peak of 38%, representing a 25–30% improvement over conventional designs. The incorporation of thermal mass reduced temperature fluctuations by up to 40%, and the enhanced insulation reduced conductive heat loss by approximately 30%. Cooking tests validated the oven’s practical effectiveness, with the successful preparation of various foods including rice (90 min), cake (120 min), vegetables (60 min), and bread (110 min). This study provides comprehensive performance data under different meteorological conditions, including detailed temperature profiles, heating rates, and thermal efficiency measurements. By addressing key limitations of prior models, particularly the challenge of temperature stability during variable solar conditions, the proposed solar oven offers a cost-effective, efficient solution that can be adapted for use in diverse climates and regions, with particular relevance to areas seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional cooking methods.

MWCNT/SiO2 Hybrid Nano‐PCM for Ultrafast Solar Cookers: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACTThe pursuit of sustainable energy solutions is crucial in meeting global sustainable development goals (SDGs). This experimental study explores enhancing a box‐type solar cooker's thermal performance through the integration of a hybrid nano‐enhanced phase change material (PCM). Specifically, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and silicon oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles were incorporated into the PCM at a 2% concentration, with 1% each of MWCNT and SiO2. The hybrid nano‐PCM was meticulously prepared using ultrasonication to ensure optimal dispersion and homogeneity. This innovative approach significantly improved the cooker's efficiency, achieving a peak PCM temperature of 128.9°C, a cooking power of 47.6 W, an average efficiency of 28.5%, and an energy efficiency of 6.2%. Notably, the cooking time was halved, from 36.3 min to just 18 min, demonstrating the ultrafast capabilities of the solar cooker. These findings underscore the potential of the MWCNT/SiO2 hybrid nano‐PCM in revolutionizing solar cooking technology, offering a cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient solution for sustainable energy harvesting.

Enabling sustainable energy access in decentralized sectors and communities: A proposal for opto-thermal analysis for rating community solar cookers

Enabling sustainable energy access in decentralized sectors and communities: A proposal for opto-thermal analysis for rating community solar cookers

A thermodynamic review on concentrating type solar cookers

A thermodynamic review on concentrating type solar cookers

Solar Distillation of White Wine to Obtain Brandy

Aim: The aim of the research was to replace gas energy with renewable solar thermal energy in a white wine distillation process to obtain brandy. Theoretical background: Almost all distillers of spirits in the world use conventional energy that produces carbon dioxide, solar energy in this distillation process is an environmentally friendly alternative. Method: In this study, a reused ck-002 parabolic solar cooker was used and the wine was obtained from a fermentation of Italian white grapes. In each distillation, the black painted still was filled with 4 L of wine. When distilling, solar energy was compared to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) energy. The distillation tests were carried out from 10:00 to 14:00 h under ambient conditions. Results and conclusion: The solar distillation time was 140 min and its boiling temperature in the receiving of the spirit was between 88 to 93 °C, in the gas cooker the time was 240 min and boiling temperature was 84 to 93°C. The heating of the still using solar energy was homogeneous with respect to the gas cooker. Solar energy presents a good alternative to replace gas energy in the distillation process to obtain brandy, reducing its cost without producing CO2. Implications of the research: To look for alternatives that can substitute gas energy, such as solar energy, which produces less negative impacts on the environment. Originality/value: The use of solar distillers is a technology that will reduce the production of CO2.

Design and evaluation of a solar cooker with reused evacuated tube: enhancing thermal efficiency for food cooking

This study presents the design and performance evaluation of a solar cooker utilizing a reused evacuated tube as its primary cooking element. The cooker’s design prioritizes enhancing thermal efficiency through the incorporation of a parabolic reflective surface and high-conductivity materials, aiming to reduce environmental impact by repurposing discarded components. Experimental tests demonstrated that the prototype outperformed alternative designs, including a parabolic dish and a replica of the commercial Haines® parabolic cooker. This represents an approximate 65% improvement in thermal performance, making the proposed design suitable even under cloudy weather conditions. Moreover, the prototype successfully baked a wheat-flour cookie, indicating its viability for practical food preparation. The findings suggest that such solar cookers could serve as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative in areas where fossil fuels are expensive or scarce. Limitations, including non-uniform temperature distribution inside the evacuated tube and the durability of reused materials, are discussed. Recommendations for future research include integrating phase-change materials to enhance heat retention and expanding comparative studies to other types of solar cookers.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Additives of Nanostructured Functional Ceramics on the Properties of Welding Electrodes

The synthesis of special photocatalysts of nanostructured functional ceramics (PNFC) under the ZKHM brand under the influence of concentrated solar radiation showed the effectiveness of these ceramic materials in multifunctional use, in particular as additives for coatings of welding electrodes. However, problems with producing these materials in solar ovens on an industrial scale did not allow the widespread use of this method. This problem was solved using the technique of PNFC synthesis, followed by activation by pulsed radiation generated by functional ceramics. The ceramic material obtained by this method under the brand name ZB-1 also showed its effectiveness when used as an additive in welding electrode coatings. A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of the actions of additives from the ZKHM and ZB-1 brands on the welding and technological properties of welding electrodes from the MR-3 brand was carried out. Comparative results for the formation of weld beads showed that beads with high-quality formation without external defects were achieved when surfaced with electrodes with additives from both brands at concentrations up to 1%. Also, at concentrations up to 1%, these additives increased the breaking length of the arc and the stability of arc welding. The different effects of these additives were observed in a comparative analysis of their impacts on the size of the visor at the end of the electrode, the coefficients of melting and surfacing, and the loss factor for fumes and splashing of electrode metal.

A field-friendly alternative to freeze-drying faeces for glucocorticoid metabolite quantification in animals of different feeding classes

Monitoring stress-related faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations is a reliable, popular and established approach for understanding wildlife responses to perceived stressors. To maintain fGCM integrity post-defaecation, faecal material must be promptly stored frozen, or dried to prevent continued suspected bacterial enzyme activity. We compare the effectiveness of freeze-drying with other field-friendly drying techniques (food dehydrator and homemade solar oven). We collected 10 fresh faecal samples each from nine species (giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest, plains zebra, African elephant, white rhino, cheetah, spotted hyena, and leopard) and monitored alterations in fGCM concentrations over time utilizing these different drying techniques. Our findings indicate that a homemade solar oven is as effective as freeze-drying faecal samples. A food dehydrator is also a suitable method for drying faecal samples for the carnivores monitored. Our findings provide field-friendly methods for researchers dealing with logistical constraints in remote field sites.• For all species examined, a homemade solar oven offers a practical and affordable alternative to freeze-drying faeces for fGCM quantification.• A food dehydrator provides an affordable alternative to freeze-drying faeces for fGCM analysis when monitoring carnivores.• Different faecal sample drying techniques should not be utilized within a single study to ensure comparable analyses of fGCM values.

Enhancement of solar cooking performance by utilizing hybrid SiC/Ag featured nano-PCM heat exchanger integrated with parabolic trough collector

Enhancement of solar cooking performance by utilizing hybrid SiC/Ag featured nano-PCM heat exchanger integrated with parabolic trough collector

Innovative electric heating system for a hybrid solar cooker (photovoltaic/thermal) using photovoltaic energy with battery storage

Innovative electric heating system for a hybrid solar cooker (photovoltaic/thermal) using photovoltaic energy with battery storage

Performance Evaluation of a Building Integrated Solar Cooker with Asymmetric Compound Parabolic Concentrator for Indoor Cooking Application

Nigeria faces an acute shortage of conventional energy sources, relying heavily on fossil fuels for cooking, which poses significant health and environmental risks. Solar cookers have emerged as a promising alternative. However, existing solar cookers have limitations, including exposure of users to direct sunlight, low utilization efficiency, and they are predominantly designed for rural and community environments, making them less suitable for urban settlement. This study evaluates the performance of a building-integrated solar cooker (BIS) with an asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) for indoor cooking. Experimental tests achieved maximum stagnation temperatures of 126.9°C and 124.8°C on two consecutive days. Water heating tests showed a boiling times of 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours for 1.5kg and 2kg of water, respectively. The cooker's figures of merit (F1 and F2) values meet recommended standards, confirming its functionality. Successful cooking of eggs, noodles, and rice demonstrates its potential for sustainable indoor cooking. From the regression analysis, standardized cooking power of 513 W at a temperature difference of 50 OC were estimated using the regression equation and coefficient of determination (R²) were found to be 0.98, exceeding the minimum requirement of 0.75. This indicates a well-fitting regression model for the system. This study addresses the limitations of existing solar cookers highlighting its potential as a viable alternative to conventional energy sources for sustainable indoor cooking and advances solar-thermal technology for urban contexts, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Construction of an Indirect Solar Cooker

Construction of an Indirect Solar Cooker

Exploring aluminum as a solid thermal storage medium for solar cooking application: An experimental investigation coupled with numerical modeling using OpenFOAM

The intermittent nature of solar energy presents a significant challenge to its reliability, particularly in applications that require a consistent energy supply, such as cooking. This issue is especially critical in emerging economies with abundant solar resources, where sustainable energy solutions are needed to reduce reliance on traditional fuels. To address this challenge, this study introduces a novel solar thermal storage (STS), utilizing a metal-based material to accumulate and retain heat for off-sunshine hour cooking. The research focuses on optimizing aluminium as the STS material, evaluating its temperature suitability, efficiency, and heat retention capabilities for household solar cooking applications. Numerical simulations using the OpenFOAM framework were conducted to analyze heat transfer within the cooker, determining the optimal size of the aluminium block based on existing literature and predefined parameters. Practical experiments, including solar-induced heating-cooling cycles and controlled cooking tests, were carried out to validate the findings. Experimental results demonstrate STS's ability to efficiently absorb and retain heat, reaching a maximum of 235 °C during a 5.5-h heating session. The water boiling experiment further confirmed STS's practical utility, effectively transferring stored heat to cooking tasks and sustaining temperatures up to 160 °C even after the test. Additionally, experiments with black lentils and chicken stew highlighted aluminium's suitability for practical cooking applications, showcasing its ability to sustain high temperatures and efficiently transfer stored heat despite longer cooking times. The study's novelty lies in integrating numerical modeling with experimental analysis to optimize STS systems, providing practical guidelines for efficient thermal storage in cooking applications. This research advances beyond previous efforts by providing a validated methodology for the design and optimization of thermal storage systems. It improves the reliability and adaptability of solar energy for cooking applications.

Experimentation, Taguchi and machine learning-based optimisation of parameters concerning heat losses from the trapezoidal box-type solar cooker

ABSTRACT The optimal design parameter combinations for a trapezoidal solar cooker that yield the lowest heat loss coefficient have been determined using a thorough Taguchi and Machine learning-based optimization approach that has been established for this study. Data for the previously described optimization have been generated through the use of an experimental approach in a laboratory environment. Numerous influencing factors are taken into account, including the temperature of the bottom plate, the depth of the cavity, the emissivity of the bottom cover, and the wind-induced heat transfer coefficient on the top glass cover. For the current investigation, the ideal factor combination is found to be a parametric combination plate temperature of 350K with 0.4 plate emissivity, 15W/m2 convective heat transfer coefficient, and 0.25 m height. To determine the percentage contribution of each control element to the heat loss coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used for the collected data and signal-to-noise ratios. Plate temperature at 74.72% and emissivity at 23.84% are the primary contributing variables found. Likewise, the least contributing factors like height (0.57%) and convective heat transfer coefficient (0.32%) are discovered. A regression equation is used to represent the connection between the response and the control factor. This formula is suggested as a forecast formula for calculating the heat loss coefficient.

Graphene Coating and its Effect on Performance of Box Type Solar Cooker: An Experimental Investigation

Background: Solar cookers have been the subject of several theoretical and empirical investigations, with numerous modifications attempted to increase efficiency and security. Solar cookers need much sophisticated research and enhancement work to function better. A thorough grasp of the application of graphene in box-type solar cooking systems is crucial for both solar energy and graphene. Objective: To improve the performance of box-type solar cookers, this patent research aims to offer an experimental investigation and insightful information on of applying graphene coating to the absorber plate and its derivative. Materials and Methods: To ensure equal dispersion of graphene into the black paint, three samples containing (1, 3, and 5wt%) of graphene embedded with the paint were produced with 1mm, 3mm, and 5mm thickness of the coating and stirred at 400 rpm for two hours using a magnetic stirrer. Xray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy have been studied to comprehend the influence of graphene nanoparticles on the surface morphology of the coated absorber panel. Performance evaluations of the box-type solar cookers were conducted with and without a graphene coating on the absorber plate, and data has been recorded for each case. Results: The results of patent research show that the absorber plate with (1, 3, and 5wt.%) of graphene embedded with black paint 1mm, 3mm, and 5mm thickness coating has a maximum thermal efficiency of 41.48% with 97.08 W cooking power, 46% with 109.35 W cooking power, and 49% with 114.77 W cooking power for the average solar irradiation is 978 W/m2. Discussion: It was determined that the cooking power (P), the first figure of merit (F1), and the second figure of merit (F2) were all satisfactorily achieved. Embedding black paint into graphene coating has been shown to significantly influence the heat transmission and thermal performance enhancement of box-type solar cookers, as demonstrated by the findings of X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. Conclusion: The current research makes it abundantly evident that the incorporation of graphene into the absorber plate of a box-type solar cooker, together with the application of a black paint coating, leads to increased heat transfer rates, which in turn provides an increase in cooking power. Because of this, graphene is an attractive nanomaterial that has the potential to improve the performance of box-type solar cookers, which is the novelty of this research work.

Rural development through solar and pyrolysis systems: Towards energy sustainability

Rural communities require socio-economic development and technologies that lead to the deployment of renewable energy systems. For these reasons, a solar parabolic dish cooker (SPDC), solar PV and fast pyrolysis systems were developed. The fast pyrolysis system is designed to generate biogas and biochar using an average biomass consumption and the generated waste per person per day in rural areas at a feed rate of 0.65 kg. 0.157 kg of biogas (CH4, H2 and CO) was recovered at the given feed rate and 73 % of the produced biogas is expected to be handed over to the feed provider since 27 % was burnt in the pyrolyser furnace. The SPDC utilised both aluminium and silver as the reflector materials and higher efficiency (4.182 %) was achieved using a silver dish reflector. Solar PV cooling from 82 °C to 25 °C was investigated and the findings revealed that 439.12 L of H2O and 0.164 kW are required at an operating cost of $0.571. An efficiency of 45.46–75.41 % for the pyrolysis unit, 60 % for the SPDC and 17 % for the solar PV were recorded. This study also recommends the installation of one pyrolysis system in each rural community and equip each rural household with the developed solar systems.

Evaluation of the design of an economic solar cooker applying FMEA to reduce risks and improve its reliability

Abstract This research seeks to contribute to reducing greenhouse gases caused by burning wood and fossil fuels with stoves. The use of solar cookers is minimal, one of the causes being their low efficiency. The objective was to reduce the risk of low efficiency of the solar cooker in the design stage, applying the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify the actions to be taken during the design seeking to reduce the Risk Priority Number during the optimization stage. The essential element of the solar cooker is the reflector, its improvement consisted of configuring it as a truncated cone with a parabola inscribed, whose focus coincides with the centroid of the absorber (pot), managing to reduce its risk priority number from 280 to 20.

Preface

Peruvian Workshop on Solar Energy 2023 (JOPES 2023) These proceedings contain a selection of papers presented at the Peruvian Workshop on Solar Energy 2023 (Jornadas Peruanas de Energía Solar - JOPES), held for the sixth consecutive year. The motivation for these events dates back to 1981, when Prof. Manfred Horn began exploring the potential of renewable energies, particularly solar energy. He founded the Peruvian Association for Solar Energy and Environment (APES). A significant milestone occurred in 1986 when APES organized the first Peruvian Symposium on Solar Energy (SPES). Since 2003, SPES has been held annually without interruption, rotating among various cities in Peru with active university programs related to renewable energies. As an extension of these efforts, JOPES was established in 2008 to promote both local and international dissemination and exchange of ideas in the field of renewable energy research. We invite renowned keynote speakers, local researchers, and students to present their latest works. During the pandemic years of 2020-2022, the event continued virtually. JOPES 2023 was held in presential mode from July 20th to 22nd at the main auditorium of the Faculty of Sciences of the National University of Engineering (Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, UNI). Keynote speakers from diverse countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, participated. Numerous local researchers also contributed, covering topics such as bioremediation of polluted waters, FMEA risk evaluation in the design of solar cookers, properties of stable faces of SnO2 for improving solar cell production, Peltier cells for evaluating the thermal conductivity of insulating materials, calibration of a built spectrometer, and determination of cloud optical depths during over-irradiance. We would like to express our gratitude to the authorities of UNI for their support in making this event possible, especially the Faculty of Sciences for providing the venue and the Vice-Rectorate of Investigation (VRI) for covering some of the finances. Special thanks also go to the Peruvian Association of Solar Energy and the Environment (APES), the Renewable Energy Center of the National University of Engineering (CER-UNI), and the Peruvian government’s National Council of Science, Technology, and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC). List of Organizing Committee is available in this Pdf.

Solar thermal cooking device for domestic cooking applications: Bridging sustainable development goals and innovation

Fossil fuels are vital in the cooking field rather than the automotive sector. Hence, solar cooking has been popularized in recent years due to the rising cost of cooking gas. However, implementing successful renewable energy for cooking in urban area is still challenging for industries. Hence, a solar thermic cooking device with a compact size suited for domestic cooking in urban area is proposed. Thus, the solar cooking device will be developed as a fully functional prototype with necessary supporting modules, depending on the heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow and heat transfer rate between fluids. The main objective is to represent various computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal analysis results on different optimistic designs for a solar thermoelectric cooking device's heat exchanger and storage unit. The 3D part model of the modules has been developed using SOLIDWORKS 2019 software. CFD has also been carried out using the same workspace with an additional package called flow simulation to analyze the flow properties of heat transfer fluid at different rates when circulated in other modules.Moreover, the thermal behavior of the HTF concerning the heat transition between module surfaces is simulated using SOLIDWORKS flow simulation to evaluate the heat storage capacity and rate of heat transfer. The theoretical formulations for the modules are derived through thermodynamic equations concerning the materials and fluid involved in the unit. The thermal and CFD analysis is carried out for different optimistic 3D models based on thermal sustainability, and the results are compared with theoretical analysis, which is discussed in this paper.

Socio‐economic impact of solar cooking technologies on community kitchens under different climate conditions: A review

AbstractResidential cooking with non‐renewable energy sources, such as firewood, charcoal, natural gas, participate in the emission of more than a gigaton of CO2 per year, which represents 2% of the global CO2 emissions. Additionally, toxic particles including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and mercury are released leading to elevated levels of indoor air pollution, and adversely affecting the health of the inhabitants. The residential sector's non‐renewable energy cooking devices also pose significant problems, consuming approximately 30%–40% of global energy usage, with over 80% dedicated to cooking applications. To mitigate the negative impacts of traditional cooking on health and the environment, various renewable energy‐based cooking technologies have been developed recently. The primary contributions of our paper are to: (a) present a comprehensive review of concentrated solar thermal cooking technologies, assessing their social, economic, and environmental impact across different climatic zones in developing countries like India; (b) classify and compare different solar cooking technologies, highlighting their advantages and limitations in various scenarios; (c) evaluate the energy efficiency of diverse solar cooking technologies; (d) analyze the impact of solar cookers on communities in developing countries; and (e) identify the challenges and future directions for solar cooker technologies, particularly in solar community kitchens. Our novel findings demonstrate that using solar cooking devices can reduce energy consumption by up to 56% in Indian schools. Moreover, the payback period ranges from 3 to 6 years, contingent on the technology's cost, climatic conditions, and available subsidies. Consequently, significant positive impacts on society, the economy, and the environment are observed when traditional cooking devices are replaced by solar cooking devices. This study provides a unique and thorough analysis, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable cooking solutions and their potential to transform energy consumption patterns in developing regions.