Modified solar collector annexed with residential solar cooker

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976 –

6340(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online) Volume 4, Issue 4, July - August (2013) © IAEME

53

MODIFIED SOLAR COLLECTOR ANNEXED WITH RESIDENTIAL SOLAR

COOKER

S. Mathana Krishnan1, V. Srinivasan

2

1Mechanical Department, Thiagarajar college of Engineering, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India

2Mechanical Department, Thiagarajar college of Engineering, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT

In this modernized world, energy is the major prerequisite for the ballgame of equipments

without which man cannot survive. Solar energy is very abundant and everlasting comparable to all

other energies. Scientists and researchers are still being inquired to harness the full potential of the

solar radiation. By focusing sunrays to a point or line, lavish amount of heat energy is generated

which is used for the cooking purpose. The predicament of solar cooker is that cooking has to be

taken place under direct sunlight and absence of night time cooking. Recent developments are in

progress to make possibility of residential solar cooker. This paper eliminates the predicaments of

residential solar cooking in night time and also increases the efficiency of cooking by introducing

vacuum tubes for better heat absorption and insulation. Phase change materials (PCM) are used for

better heat storage medium as a backup for night time cooking. Factors like energy requirement,

processing time, design for heat ex-changers, volume of PCM required, mass flow rate of water etc.,

are considered to design the system for a domestic house. Finally, this solar cooker can be the

substitute for all other cooking systems and mainly reduces pollution because of LPG, kerosene,

wood etc., which is used as a cooking fuel.

Keywords: Solar energy, Vacuum tubes, Phase change materials, Reduces pollution, Night time

cooking, Designing the system.

I. INTRODUCTION

Energy is strewn all over the world whose ubiety is very immense. Man has perpetually

yearned to capture it and utilize it for humans. The necessity of energy escalates from day to day but

legion of the fossil fuels and conventional fuels fire up to extinct. Most of the relic fuels are

consumed for the cooking purpose. Cooking using solar energy is the peerless surrogate for tackling

LPG demand if its efficiency is aggrandized and it also has zero pollution. Its hefty advantage is that

the rays of sun are very intensive and it has the adequacy to do any work but it relies upon the way

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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ISSN 0976 – 6359 (Online)

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International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), ISSN 0976

6340(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6359(Online) Volume 4, Issue 4, July

and effectiveness by which energy is extracted.

type of solar cookers are used, but these cookers are not successful. This is because of the

predicaments to cook under direct sunlight and also the absence of solar energy at night time which

made us to rely on other conventional cooking systems.

inputs heat energy but the major detriment is that it has only low efficiency and sluggish processing.

This paper primarily focuses on residential

tube crammed with phase change materials

that it absorbs heat energy by incident solar irradiation, that travels through

glass tube and it traps the infrared radiation in solar rays. These trapped radiations are converted to

heat energy. This heat energy does not travel through vacuum expect radiation losses. But this

radiation loss is negligible due to small temperature difference. Hence in vacuum tub

heat energy will not be transmitted to the atmosphere.

so heat storage medium is obligatory.

Phase change material is the

resources because it delivers the stored latent heat energy at a particular (constant) melting point

temperature. The efficiency of the solar cooker is

placement of vacuum tube along with phase change material. This d

efficiently but also stores the heat for the future usage.

water or steam is circulated for cooking the

condensation of wet mixture of water vapour

phases. The circulation of water procures higher temperature for the food to cook and phase change

materials stores the heat for the time in the absence

II. DESCRIPTION


6359(Online) Volume 4, Issue 4, July - August (2013) © IAEME

54

and effectiveness by which energy is extracted. At beginning box type, panel types, paraboloidal



ly on other conventional cooking systems. There is also variety of appliances which

heat energy but the major detriment is that it has only low efficiency and sluggish processing.

focuses on residential solar cooker with night time backup by means of

with phase change materials. The intention for choosing black layered

incident solar irradiation, that travels through the vacuum jacketed

infrared radiation in solar rays. These trapped radiations are converted to


radiation loss is negligible due to small temperature difference. Hence in vacuum tub

heat energy will not be transmitted to the atmosphere. The entire heat cannot be utilized at once and

so heat storage medium is obligatory.

Phase change material is the most admirable heat storage medium compared to other

cause it delivers the stored latent heat energy at a particular (constant) melting point

. The efficiency of the solar cooker is significantly amplified by means of the design and

placement of vacuum tube along with phase change material. This design not only heats the cooker

the heat for the future usage. The cooker is enclosed by

cooking the food. The small tank is sited next to the cooker for the

mixture of water vapour because no pump will handle both liquid and vapour

The circulation of water procures higher temperature for the food to cook and phase change

es the heat for the time in the absence of solar irradiation.


August (2013) © IAEME

At beginning box type, panel types, paraboloidal



also variety of appliances which

heat energy but the major detriment is that it has only low efficiency and sluggish processing.

by means of vacuum

layered vacuum tube is

the vacuum jacketed

infrared radiation in solar rays. These trapped radiations are converted to


radiation loss is negligible due to small temperature difference. Hence in vacuum tubes the absorbed

The entire heat cannot be utilized at once and

heat storage medium compared to other

cause it delivers the stored latent heat energy at a particular (constant) melting point

by means of the design and

esign not only heats the cooker

jacket where hot

next to the cooker for the

use no pump will handle both liquid and vapour

The circulation of water procures higher temperature for the food to cook and phase change



Cooking is vital and it has to

from either LPG or electricity. Troubles will be

The effective cooking is also done by the alternative resources like solar energy which is explained

below. The intact unit consists of vacuum tubes, phase change materials, cooker surrounded by the

jacket, small tank, insulated tubes

assumptions of 5 persons in a domestic house.

with phase change material within that copper tube

are positioned in either side with a centre cube of phase change materials.

PCM is that it has superior latent heat storage.

According to the pondered volume,

excess PCM is placed inside the insulated cubical box at

has lower value of surface area to volume (SA/V) ratio compared to other standard shapes. Hence

heat loss will be minimum at the night time.

which is bent for greater surface contact and to enhance the

promulgated inside the copper tube. This entire setup is

collector. The area of parabolic collector is calculated by

unit area and the energy required. Seven coils of copper tube are

contact in the cube of phase change material located in the centre.

cooker for condensation of the wet mixture.

completes one cycle. The temperature of water increases

cooker. If this system is erected in the universe

demand. By eliminating the usage of LPG

III. WORKING

The entire arrangement works by utilizing heat from the solar

relies upon the effective ways which harness the full potential of the sun. The parabolic collector is

selected for the rationale of obtaining line focus in it. The pa

converge it into a line where the vacuum tube

Copper tubes are mounted inside the phase change material

circulated inside the copper tube which absorbs the h

the vacuum tube, cube of PCM is located



55

to be done in all places. Energy required for this operation is only

Troubles will be faced in the production of both LPG and electricity.


consists of vacuum tubes, phase change materials, cooker surrounded by the

insulated tubes and parabolic collector. The system is designed with the

assumptions of 5 persons in a domestic house. The vacuum tubes of size 124 mm diameter

with phase change material within that copper tube arrangements are made. The two

in either side with a centre cube of phase change materials. The intent

latent heat storage. The volume of phase change material is

phase change materials are crammed in two vacuum tube

excess PCM is placed inside the insulated cubical box at the centre. The cubical box is chosen as it


heat loss will be minimum at the night time. The copper tubes are placed inside the vacuum tube

which is bent for greater surface contact and to enhance the better heat transfer and

ed inside the copper tube. This entire setup is positioned in the line focus of the parabolic

The area of parabolic collector is calculated by considering available solar irradiation

. Seven coils of copper tube are to be found for better surface area

hase change material located in the centre. The small tank is

wet mixture. A pump is also built-in for the circulation of water and it

completes one cycle. The temperature of water increases aggressively and it cooks the food in the

cooker. If this system is erected in the universe, we can easily face the LPG and electrical power

eliminating the usage of LPG, we can control the carbon emissions in large quantity.

works by utilizing heat from the solar irradiation and the efficiency

ways which harness the full potential of the sun. The parabolic collector is

of obtaining line focus in it. The parabolic collector reflects sun rays and

converge it into a line where the vacuum tube packed with phase change material

mounted inside the phase change material. The water as a working substance is

which absorbs the heat extracted by the vacuum tube

located which is well insulated from the surroundings which also



Energy required for this operation is only

in the production of both LPG and electricity.


consists of vacuum tubes, phase change materials, cooker surrounded by the

The system is designed with the

diameter are filled

two vacuum tubes

intent for choosing

volume of phase change material is calculated.

vacuum tubes and

The cubical box is chosen as it


The copper tubes are placed inside the vacuum tube

t transfer and water is

in the line focus of the parabolic

solar irradiation per

for better surface area

The small tank is sited next to the

for the circulation of water and it

aggressively and it cooks the food in the

and electrical power

, we can control the carbon emissions in large quantity.

radiation and the efficiency

ways which harness the full potential of the sun. The parabolic collector is

rabolic collector reflects sun rays and

with phase change material is positioned.

. The water as a working substance is

eat extracted by the vacuum tube. In between

which is well insulated from the surroundings which also



56

plays an effective role in heat transfer. Hot water is transferred to the cooker by insulated pipes to

eliminate transmission heat loss. Due to the solar irradiation, water gets heated up in step by step

process. This hot water is made circulated through the jacket in the cooker. The small tank is sited

next to the cooker for the condensation of the wet mixture of water vapour. A pump is used to drive

the system of fluids. A valve is fitted for the adjusting of mass flow rate of water. This mass flow

rate will controls the cooking temperature. If the mass flow rate is higher, it obtains lower cooking

temperature and vice versa. This system surely meets the demand of LPG and power consumption

and it also reduces pollution.

IV. CALCULATION

Assumptions 1) It is assumed that 7L cooker is suited for 5 people in a house

2) The cooking food is considered to be water

3) The location for cooking is chosen to be Madurai, Tamilnadu, India

4) It is assumed that maximum final temperature of the food is 130-150oC

5) Parabolic collector to be designed for PCM to attain maximum temperature of 160oC

6) Optimum melting point of PCM is 120oC

7) Time required to cook food during night time is assumed to be 1½ hours

1. Energy required to cook food Volume of the Cooker V = 0.007 m

3

For water,

Density = 1000 kg/m3

Mass m = 7 kg

Specific heat (at constant pressure) Cp = 4.187 kJ/kg K

Initial temperature of food TA = 30oC (room temperature)

Maximum final temperature of food TB = 130oC

Temperature difference dT = 100oC

Required heat energy Q = m * Cp * dT

= 7 * 4.187 *100

Q = 2930.9 kJ

2. Time for backup Due to absence of sunlight during night time cooking,

let maximum time required to cook during night time = 1 ½ h

3. Temperatures

Maximum Cooking temperature T1 = 150oC

Maximum temperature of PCM T2 = 160oC

4. PCM selection Required melting point of PCM = 120

oC

Name = S117

Melting point = 117oC

Density � = 1450 kg/m3

Latent heat L = 160 kJ/kg

Specific heat capacity Cp = 2.61 kJ/kgK

Thermal conductivity k = 0.7 W/mK



57

5. Mass of PCM Heat energy required to boil 1L q = 291.14kJ

By experiment,

Time taken to reach boiling point of water = 20 min

For 20 min energy supplied = 291.14 kJ

Let us assume backup time t = 1 ½ h

For 1 ½ h energy required Q = 1310.13 kJ/L

For 7 Litre,

Total energy required Q = 9170.91 kJ

Q = m * L

m = Q/L

m = 57 kg

6. Design Calculation

Available vacuum tubes diameter

S.No Diameter (mm) Volume occupied by

PCM (kg)

1 37 3

2 64 10

3 124 25

Mass of PCM occupied in single vacuum tube (124mm dia) m1 = 25 kg

Mass occupied by copper pipe in single vacuum tube m2 = 5 kg

Difference in the mass dm = 20 kg

Mass of PCM that can be filled in a single vacuum tube = 20 kg

By placing 2 vacuum tubes i.e., No. of vacuum tubes n = 2

Total mass of PCM that can be filled in vacuum tubes = 40 kg

Total mass of to be filled to get 1 ½ h backup = 57 kg

Remaining volume of PCM = 17 kg

17 kg of PCM can be filled in a cube of side 23 cm

Copper pipe is coiled in that cube of PCM

7. Design of coil

Assumptions � Copper pipe diameter d = 12 mm

� Coil diameter D = 150 mm

� Free gap G = 10 mm

� No. of turns n = 7

� Secondary Length of the coil l = 100 mm

• Total length of the coil,

L = n * ((2 * π * r) + G) + (2 * l)

L = 53 cm



8. Mass of CO2 emission by LPGLPG contains 70% propane and 30% butane.

The chemical reactions are

Propane:

C3H8+5O2 � 3CO2+4H2O

Butane:

2C4H10+13O2 � 8CO2+10H2

By atomic weight calculation,

It is found that 1 ton of LPG emits 3.04

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The above graphs shows the temperature readings in Madurai with average day time

temperature as maximum temperature and minimum temperature to be a night time temperature.

This graph shows that there will be enough solar irradiation in the tropical region

to implement the steam cooking which is more suitable for houses and also hotels.



58

emission by LPG LPG contains 70% propane and 30% butane.

2O

atomic weight calculation,

und that 1 ton of LPG emits 3.04 ton (approx) of CO2



This graph shows that there will be enough solar irradiation in the tropical regions especially in India

to implement the steam cooking which is more suitable for houses and also hotels.





s especially in India



The calculation is performed for above all assumptions and the total system is designed for

the domestic house. From the graph, it is foun

hence it meet the cooking requirements by adopting the above design

will be little more investment than other systems. But

which total cost of cooking will be only the maintenance cost of the system. By improving the design

of vacuum tubes, PCM selection, tracking mechanism collector shapes etc., will have a great scope

in the market. In future this would be a new backu

multi purposes.

V. CONCLUSION

As our demand for LPG and electrical energy are escalating day by day, the amount of fossil

fuel will become scarce on one day. By implementing this system, it eradicate

for cooking. The key behind this efficacious solution is the p

papers, the overall system will work only during the daytime

then it will not be compact and there will b

cooker in each and every house will replace LPG and electric stove. Installation of this system in

India reduces more than millions of

temperature can be greatly reduced in the future.

to this hectic world. The effects of thermo physical properties of PCM, installation methodology,

location of PCM are the scope for future work

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59


the domestic house. From the graph, it is found that the average day temperature of Madurai is

hence it meet the cooking requirements by adopting the above design. The drawbacks in this system

will be little more investment than other systems. But the payback period will be few years



In future this would be a new backup storage collector which stores heat energy for the


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Modified solar collector annexed with residential solar cooker

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