Experimental investigation of a box-type solar cooker with a finned absorber plate

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2010-09, Vol.35 (9), p.3799-3802
• Main Authors: Harmim, A., Belhamel, M., Boukar, M., Amar, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algeria; Applied sciences; Boiling; Box-type solar cooker; Collectors; Cooking time; Desert environments; Energy; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Experimentation; Finned absorber plate; Fins; Heating; Latitude; Natural energy; Platforms; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2010.05.032

This article provides the results and finding of an experimental work undertaken in the desert of Algeria. That aimed to compare experimental performance of a box-type solar cooker equipped with a finned absorber plate to a similar box-type cooker which absorber plate without fins. Tests have been carried out on the experimental platform of the Renewable Energies Research Unit in Saharan Environment of Algeria at Adrar. Adrar is located at a latitude 27° 53′ North and a longitude 0° 17′ West. Fins that have been used in solar air collectors enhanced heat transfer from absorber plate to air. Experimental tests have been undertaken as part of this project where was applied this phenomenon to a box-type solar cooker. The results of the experimental investigation have been rigorously analysed and showed that the stagnation temperature for box-type solar cooker equipped with a finned absorber plate was about 7% more than box-type solar cooker equipped with an ordinary absorber plate. The time required for heating water up to boiling temperature in both box-type solar cookers was reduced with about 12% when a finned absorber plate was used.