School of Physics, Faculty of Agriculture and Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa; Physics Department, Bindura University of Science, Private Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe; Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, ICTP, Italy; University of Kassel (ISET e.V), Witzenhausen, Germany
Mukaro, R., School of Physics, Faculty of Agriculture and Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, ICTP, Italy; Tinarwo, D., Physics Department, Bindura University of Science, Private Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe, University of Kassel (ISET e.V), Witzenhausen, Germany
The performance of a low-cost compound box-reflector solar cooker designed and constructed by the department of Mechanical Engineering, at the University of Zimbabwe, was investigated and evaluated using a microcontroller-based measurement system over a period of 3 months. Solar radiation and temperature measurements are sent directly to the computer for monitoring and subsequent analysis using a spreadsheet program. The system is connected to the computer through the RS232 port. Temperature was measured by LM335 temperature sensors, whereas solar radiation was measured by a Kipp & Zonen CM3 thermopile-based pyranometer that was initially calibrated against the Eppley Precision Spectral Pyranometer. Peak temperatures of about 90°C for the food can be attained in about 5 h on a clear day in Bindura, Zimbabwe (18°S, 31°E). A standardized cooking power of 11W and an overall efficiency of 15% were found for this cooker. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.