Experimental investigation on the thermal performance of a large parabolic dish type solar cooker

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of a parabolic dish solar cooker under local climatic conditions in Derna, Libya, with a focus on energy and exergy analyses. The experimental setup involved testing with a 13.1 kg glycerine load on January 24, 2023, under an average ambient temperature of 21.4 °C and varying solar radiation conditions. The cooker's thermal behaviour, including outer pot wall temperatures, glycerin temperature, energy and exergy rates, energy and exergy efficiencies, and heat loss factors, were monitored throughout the experiment. Results indicate that the solar cooker achieved peak solar radiation of 1043 W/m², contributing to rapid glycerin temperature rise to a maximum of 206.1°C. Energy and exergy efficiencies ranged from 0.69 to 0.008 and exhibited dependency on solar radiation and ambient temperature fluctuations. The highest heat loss factor recorded was 124.5W/K, influenced significantly by wind speed variations. This research contributes valuable insights into the operational dynamics of parabolic dish solar cookers under specific climatic conditions, offering pathways for improving their efficiency and reliability for sustainable cooking applications.