College of Agricultural Engineering, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, PUSA, Samastipur, Bihar, India
Solar energy is gaining enormous attention from researchers, environmentalists, government agencies and stake holders due to its inexhaustible availability, environmental friendly and easy to tap. This experiment was designed to evaluate the efficiency and cooking performance of a solar reflector with steam generator under different climatic conditions and the results were compared with the traditional method of cooking. In summer season, the temperature of concentrated light beam on receiver was observed to be 460 ± 31°C and generated maximum steam pressure of 7.4 kg/cm2 followed by 353 ± 13°C and 5.1 kg/cm2, respectively in post winter and 311 ± 26°C and 4 kg/cm2, respectively in rainy season. The reflector efficiency was calculated to be 30 ± 1% during whole experiment. High specific energy in steam at 1.5 kg/cm2 pressure resulted in excellent cooking and consumed only 7 min to prepare 1 kg of rice, which was significantly lower as compared to the time consumed (27 min) in traditional system. The whole assembly would be free of cost after 8.7 years of operation and therefore it is imperative to state that this cutting edge technology would uplift the social economy along with conserving the basic structure of environment.
Solar reflector-cum-steam generator was evaluated under different climatic conditions. The efficiency of reflector and header assembly was found to be 30% and 93%, respectively. As compared to the traditional method of cocking solar system was found highly efficient.
Energy source, meal preparation, steam, sunlight, solar reflector
