Improved Receiver Design Concepts for Parabolic Dish Direct Solar Cooking Systems

In developing countries, solar cooking technology is considered one of the key measures in dealing with deforestation and environmental pollution. However, their adoption utilization have been insignificant due to social, cultural, technical challenges, among others. For parabolic dish direct cookers, critical most important components system a receiver since its performance greatly affects entire system. This paper presents part findings study which investigated prospects improving systems by focusing on identification prospective heat loss reduction mechanisms receiver. The identified Insulated (IR), Air-filled (AFR), Oil-filled (OFR) receivers Base Circular Rings (BCR) as alternatives Conventional Receiver (CR) System. Tests were conducted using procedures protocols given American Society for Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). test results showed that average power developed was 185 W IRBCR system, 90 OFRBCR 92 AFRBCR 118 CR standardized temperature difference 50oC, PS (50), 291 11 272 142 further revealed overall efficiencies 23% 9% 12% 18% found be 27% IR, 11% OFR, 14% AFR, 21% CR. concluded improved when IR used while magnitudes parameters AFR OFR lower than