DESIGN MODIFICATION OF PARABOLIC TROUGH SOLAR COOKER WITH HEAT STORAGE AND THERMOSYPHON SYSTEM
Energy access and sustainable cooking technologies represent critical challenges in developing regions, particularly in countries like Nigeria with abundant solar resources yet limited traditional energy infrastructure. This study aims to address the persistent limitations of solar cooking technologies by redesigning and constructing an enhanced parabolic trough solar cooker equipped with an innovative heat storage and thermosyphon system, specifically tailored for the climatic conditions of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The research responds to the urgent need for alternative cooking solutions that can mitigate environmental degradation, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide sustainable energy access in rural and urban communities. The parabolic trough solar collector was designed with specific parameters, including a 1.27m length, 0.91m aperture width, and a concentration ratio of 82, optimized for the local latitude of 11.5°. The system incorporated key innovations such as a transparent glass cover, heat storage tank, and thermosyphon circulation system to enhance thermal performance and cooking capabilities during off-peak solar hours. Performance evaluation was conducted through standard stagnation and load tests, carried out from May to June 2024 at the University of Maiduguri Mechanical Engineering workshop, following the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) standard testing protocol. Experimental results demonstrated show that the cooker achieved a maximum absorber tube temperature of 138.4°C during stagnation tests and a thermal efficiency of 15% during load tests. The solar cooker consistently reached maximum water temperatures up to 66.9°C, with an average stagnation temperature of 77.0°C across seven days of testing. A linear regression analysis of the cooking power revealed a correlation between temperature difference and standardized cooking power, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.8177, validating the system’s performance reliability.
Authors : Saleh, L., Oluwole, F.O. and Shodiya, S.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 10(1) Date Uploaded : 5th January 2025