Performance evaluation of solar cooker made from locally sourced materials

Abstract

This study describes the development and performance evaluation of a four reflector solar cooker, which was made from locally sourced materials. Teak wood was used in the construction of the solar box cooker with the dimension500 × 400 × 300 mm. The box was lagged, so as to reduce the rate of heat loss and increase the amount of heat generated for the cooking. Experiments were performed on the solar cooker with no reflector, one reflector, two reflectors, three reflectors and four reflectors. Results from the first figure of merits (F1) showed that the solar cooker with two, three and four reflectors are considered grade A solar cooker. The second figure of merit (F2) condition was met only by the solar cooker with four reflectors with its value greater than 0.42. The cooker thermal efficiency increases from 18.72 to 72.22% as the number of reflectors increases. The solar box cooker with four external reflectors was more efficient when compared with others and thus, can be used in cooking and drying of agricultural products.