Thermal model of a solar concentration cooker: A parameter variation study to estimate thermal properties

Abstract

This document describes the development of a thermal model to explain the behavior of a solar concentration cooker. The model is presented in terms of a coupled system consisting of three ordinary, differential non-lineal equations used to calculate average temperatures of the surface of the reflectors, the surface of the container, and the liquid placed inside the container. Numerical results compared to measurements from experimental tests show that good concordance was obtained. A study of variation was conducted using some of the design parameters of the solar cooker to estimate standard cooking power and thermal efficiency. We conclude that the parameter ‘emittance of selective absorbent film’ on the surface of the cooking pot exerts the greatest influence on the thermal properties assessed.