Solar Cooking
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Revision as of 00:28, 21 February 2007

The original author of this article is Dr. Ashok Kundapur. Find more of Dr. Kundapur's work on his website: http://www.solcooker.net/Cindex.htm.


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Template:Compendium TOC Though the parabolic reflector was a perfect design, even good technicians, more so the villagers, found it difficult to construct parabolic reflectors even with the help of templates. This was how the Fresnel reflectors gained importance. The very first design in this category came from VITA in 1961 . Three to four rings of masonite (hardboard like material) were cut from a 4’ x 4’ sheet. Aluminized polyester was stuck to this. After which the rings were nailed to specially notched wooden reapers to form a Fresnel concentrator. VITA provided a template of these materials as it was a do-it-yourself project (VITA 1971). The cooking pot was supported on a rod projecting from the center. Adjustments, once in 30 minutes were considered sufficient. Ease of construction and focusing characteristics made this design better than the regular parabolic reflector (VITA 1961). Professor Garg, an Indian designer (Garg et al 1978), suggests further improvements by making the reflector with five to six rings.

Recently Mr. Ed Norman of Peru has taken keen interest in the VITA design and has revived it. I am yet to get the latest details from him as to the performance.

Solar-cooker-design-photo- Vita resnel1

In a comparative study the VITA design emerged as a top model (Garg 1978). Attracted by the simplicity of the Fresnel geometry, Steenbleek developed an ingenious way of making Fresnel concentrator (strips of reflector materials, with the width determined by using a computer) were wound in concentric circles on a suitable support. Solar stalwarts like Edmondson (1981) claim that this design was a boon to solar designers. Reflectors of any size could be easily fabricated. The reviewer tried out this technique but encountered considerable difficulty in cutting and fixing strips.

Solar-cooker-design-steenbleek type-Fig23

Dr Bernhard Muller of Germany who visited my site in March 2003, has directed me to his web site http://www.mueller-solartechnik.com. Some more interesting variation of Fresnel design. The photograph taken from his site gives good details. The linearly arranged Fresnel lens focuses light on to a pot kept at the focal point, about 50 cm away from the mirrors. The design is said to deliver ~300W power. The one which could deliver ~600 W is in the form of Cross says Mr. Muller. He recommends unit with glass mirrors. The standard cooker comes with an aluminium foil reflector.

Solar-cooker-design-Mullersfresnel01

300

Fatangre's (1992) design is actually a box type design, wherein he incorporates a transparent Fresnel lens in the lid of the Gosh type box ( described later).

Another interesting Fresnel arrangement has been described by Bob Culbertson,of US, in which an array of flat mirrors are lined up which focus the sun rays at the bottom. The configuration could be described with the help of forward and backward slashes. This confugaration would work, and it may be excellent to divert the focused rays to the base of a pot.

         * (Sun)

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        + (focus)

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