Energetic and exergetic performance assessment of solar cookers with different geometrical designs

Abstract

In our previous paper, a thorough review of the available literature on solar cookers has been presented. In this paper, a thermodynamic performance assessment of solar cookers of different geometries has been carried out. In general, the study has aimed at providing a complete performance evaluation criterion for solar cookers irrespective of their geometrical design and also comparing the thermal performances of different types of solar cookers. Recent experimental studies considering conventional and novel geometrical constructions have been investigated in detail for data acquisition. Peak energy and exergy outputs, energetic and exergetic efficiencies, heat loss coefficients, cooker quality factors and portability factors have been obtained for each cooking design and the results have been analysed. Finally, some recommendations have been made to enhance the performance parameters of solar cookers.

Keywords:

• solar cookers
• energy
• exergy
• heat loss coefficient
• cooker quality factor