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Design And Construction Of A Solar Cooker

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Industrial Physics | Physics

The design and construction of a solar cooker entail the development and assembly of a device that utilizes solar energy to generate heat for cooking purposes. This involves selecting appropriate materials such as reflective surfaces, insulating materials, and a heat-absorbing medium like a blackened pot. Key considerations include optimizing the cooker’s geometry for maximum sunlight capture, enhancing thermal efficiency through insulation, and ensuring durability and stability. The design process involves integrating principles of optics, thermodynamics, and material science to create an efficient and cost-effective solution for harnessing solar energy for cooking. Construction involves assembling the chosen components into a functional unit, testing its performance under varying conditions, and refining the design iteratively to improve efficiency and usability. Successful implementation of the solar cooker requires careful consideration of factors such as local climate, cooking requirements, and user preferences, highlighting the importance of customization and adaptability in addressing diverse needs and maximizing the benefits of renewable energy sources.

ABSTRACT

Solar cooker refers to the renewable energy system that collects energy from the sun in the form of heat rather than using the sun’s energy to produce electricity, as is the case with solar photovoltaics. Solar cooker systems can be used to provide space heating and water heating to be used in residential, commercial, or industrial facilities.

The basic components of solar cooker systems include: solar panel to take the energy from the sun and pass it circuit that controls the heater.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT
APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
METHODOLOGY
PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
REVIEW OF SOLAR COOKER
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SOLAR COOKER
HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF PHOTOVOTAIC CELL
THEORETICAL REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL
REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY
REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL MATERIALS

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 METHODOLOGY

SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF WATER COOKER
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF THE SYSTEM
SOLAR COOKER CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR COMPONENTS USED

CHAPTER FOUR

TEST AND RESULT ANALYSIS

SYSTEM SPECIFICATION AND INSTALLATION
SELECTING A SOLAR WATER HEATER
INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM
IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Solar cooking is used widely in developing countries as an alternative to wood, charcoal, coal, and dung fires, all of which create environmental problems for the country, and health problems for the cook, and they are expensive.

Solar cookers are also “environmentally-friendly” and non-polluting; food will not burn; fewer problems with boil-over; keeps house cooler and reduces summer cooling costs; economical — cookers can be made from recycled material and cost nothing to operate; safe — no risk of fire.

Solar cookers are easy to make and even easier to use. The simplest design can be made in less than 1/2 hour and will cook a hot-dog or tray of cookies in under an hour! A larger panel cooker or a box cooker will cook a pot of dried beans in less than a day, and there is no need to “watch the pot” — just place it in the cooker in the morning and return in the evening.

With an understanding of basic principles of solar energy and access to simple materials such as cardboard, aluminum foil, and glass, one can build an effective solar cooking device. Whether the need is to cook food, pasteurize water, or dry fish or grain, the basic principles of solar, heat transfer, and materials apply. We look forward to the application of a wide variety of materials and techniques as people make direct use of the sun’s energy.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Solar cooker overcome problems and risks used to occur in electrical, wood, charcoal, coal, and dung fires cooker, such as: Solar cooker is environmentally-friendly and non-polluting; food will not burn; fewer problems with boil-over; keeps house cooler and reduces summer cooling costs; economical — cookers can be made from recycled material and cost nothing to operate; safe — no risk of fire.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The aim of this project is to design a cooker that is powered using renewal energy source – solar.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

It does not require constant attendance while cooking.
Since food cooks slowly, it becomes more nutritious.

iii. It does not require fuel. It requires only sunlight.

It can also be used as a oven for baking.
Save Money – approximately 50% of your electricity bill could be saved. Using solar cooker systems could drastically reduce the size of installed generator sets.
An investment – solar cooker system will add value to your property.

vii. Environmental Friendly – solar energy is clean energy. No pollution.

viii. Self-sufficiency – with a solar cooking system you are protected from the ever-increasing cost and erratic

1.5 LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

It is more expensive to build than the electrical cooker and charcoal.
Solar cooker does not work on a cloudy days and during night

It cooks food slowly

1.6 APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT

Water boiled with solar cooker is used in showers, kitchen and bathroom faucets, swimming pools, washing machines, Jacuzzis, and other appliances that require warm water.

1.7 METHODOLOGY

To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps involved:

Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.
Draw a block diagram.

Test for continuity of components and devices,

Design and calculation for the device was carried out.
Studying of various component used in circuit.
Construction of the circuit was carried out.

Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.

1.8 PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.