Atul A. Sagade

Bio: Atul A. Sagade is an academic researcher from University of Chile. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cooker & Parabolic trough. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 24 publications receiving 190 citations. Previous affiliations of Atul A. Sagade include Central University of Jharkhand & College of Engineering and Management, Kolaghat.

Mathematical modeling and experimental validation of the thermal performance of a novel design solar cooker

Abstract: The present work is aimed to report a new design of a solar cooker named as Quonset solar cooker (QSC). The cooker provided with transparent, lightweight and durable dome-shape polymeric glaze. The cooker enclosure is divided into dual cooking compartments with internal reflectors. The thermal performance of the cooker is assessed experimentally for low and intermediate temperature cooking activities. A mathematical model is presented to verify the thermal performance of the QSC through parametric analysis. The experimental results are compared to the model. Numerical results for validation purpose taking into consideration the thermal performance parameters (TPPs) such as; cooking power, cooker efficiency and cooker opto-thermal ratio (COR). The cooker has been graded by computing the two figures of merit F1 and F2 numerically. The results revealed that, the proposed design of the solar cooker can be used with water and glycerin as cooking fluids with efficiencies change from 6 to 35% and from 9 to 92%, respectively.

Experimental determination of effective concentration ratio for solar box cookers using thermal tests

Abstract: Solar box cookers (SBCs) are generally equipped with a booster reflector to increase the radiation flux; consequently, the heating of the absorber plate and for fast cooking. Hence, it is crucial to assess the impact of booster reflector and quantify the Opto-Thermal performance of the SBCs considering the enhanced radiation flux. In the present work, Effective Concentration Ratio (ECR) is defined to assess the effectiveness of booster reflector. ECR is determined experimentally using two thermal tests; with and without booster reflector employing the Cooker Opto-Thermal Ratio (COR) as a thermal performance parameter (TPP). It is shown that, ECR enables the assessment of the effect of the booster reflector in the estimation of Opto-Thermal performance of the SBCs. The value of ECR for specified SBC is determined to be 1.33.

Experimental determination of the thermal performance of a solar box cooker with a modified cooking pot

Abstract: The performance improvement of the solar box cookers is possible using different techniques and design changes. One of them is new or advanced designs of cooking utensil/pot. New designs of the cooking pot enhance the heat transfer to the food leading to reduced cooking time. The present work depicts the performance of a Solar Box Cooker (SBC) using a modified cooking pot (MCP). The SBC is tested with new design of the cooking pot equipped with top glazed lid. The COR is used as a thermal performance parameter (TPP) and determined experimentally using heating and open sun cooling tests. The inter-cooker performance comparison of the SBC is done using a newly designed MCP and a conventional cooking pot (CCP). It is shown that the thermal performance of a solar box cooker (SBC) improves with a modified cooking pot (MCP) because of reduction in heat loss with the additional benefit of visualization of the solar cooking activity.

Performance evaluation of low-cost FRP parabolic trough reflector with mild steel receiver

Abstract: Solar collector and concentrator system can be used for industrial process heat application in various industries. Apart from the low temperature applications, there are several potential fields of application for solar thermal energy at medium-high temperatures (80°C to 300°C). This paper describes the experimental results of the prototype parabolic trough made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic with its aperture area coated by aluminum foil with a reflectivity of 0.86. From Indian conditions, there is a large potential available for low-cost solar-concentrating technologies for domestic as well as industrial process heat applications. This line-focusing parabolic trough with mild steel receiver coated with black proxy material has been tested with and without glass cover. Instantaneous efficiency of 51% and 39% has been achieved with and without glass cover, respectively. Performance evaluation of the prototype system has been done during the months of April and May 2010 at Shivaji University, Kolhapur (16.42°N latitude, 74.13°W longitude). The total cost of the prototype system developed has been calculated as Rs10,000 (US$200).

Solar cooker with tracking-type bottom reflector: An experimental thermal performance evaluation of a new design

Abstract: To fulfil the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, the solar cooker is one of the key devices. The objective of this work is to propose a new design of solar cooker equipped with internal reflectors and a tracking-type bottom parabolic reflector (TBPR) which may help in attainment of SDGs. The performance of cooker is determined using Cooker Opto-Thermal Ratio (COR) as a Thermal Performance Parameter (TPP) and glycerine as test load. Also, the effectiveness of the booster reflector is estimated using the Effective Concentration Ratio (ECR). First Figure of Merit (F1) and overall cooker efficiency (η) are used to comment on performance of the proposed cooker. The real cooking tests are conducted for family of four people which describes usefulness of the proposed solar cooker. Experimental results depict the mean values of COR for the cooker with and without TBPR as 0.165 and 0.123, respectively. Also, the value of F1 is found to be 0.119 while the value of the ECR for the cooker is 1.34. The overall cooker efficiencies for cooker with and without TBPR are estimated to be 10.7% and 12.5%, respectively. The results show that cooker with TBPR is able attain the intermediate temperatures ~ 140–150 °C. An economic analysis is done using two indicators, Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) and Cooking a Meal (LCCM) and there is a reduction of ~ 44% and 18% in the LCOH and LCCM respectively, for the cooker with TBPR compared to the cooker without TBPR.

A review of recent advances in solar cooking technology

Abstract: One of the primary factors affecting the amount of worldwide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is cooking. Solar cooking is an appropriate solution because it is both inexpensive and expandable. To illustrate modern advancements and the current status of solar cooking technology, this paper presents a review of recent experimental and analytical socioeconomic studies on solar cookers. The experimental studies have been divided into three categories based on different solar cooker structures: (i) box types, (ii) concentrating types, and (iii) panel types. Next, different designs are investigated according to their direct or indirect heat transfer modes and optional equipment for latent heat and sensible heat type thermal storage units. Moreover, reviews of studies concerning social and economic points of view and analyses of solar cooking technology are included. Different designs and configurations of solar cookers are compared for their performance, including economic aspects. Finally, some applicable solutions for current drawbacks are presented as a pathway for further investigation in solar cooking technology.

Experimental and numerical studies of thermal performance enhancement in the receiver part of solar parabolic trough collectors

Abstract: A solar collector is a device which helps to harnesses solar radiation into useful form of energy. Among various solar collectors, the parabolic trough collector (PTC) is considered to be the best option for medium temperature (150–400 °C) heat requirements. The popularity of solar parabolic trough technology has generated interest in higher efficiency energy recovery potential. The absorber tube, also called the receiver tube or heat collection element, is one of the main functional units of a solar PTC in addition to other elements like parabolic mirrors, metal support structure and tracking unit assembly. Parabolic mirrors reflect to a focal point and concentrate falling sun rays onto an absorber tube, which is made up of a long metallic structure covered by an evacuated glass envelope to reduce convective heat transfer losses. Many techniques were attempted to enhance the heat transfer potential in the receiver tube portion of a solar PTC which includes techniques such as half insulation receiver, cavity receivers, vacuum outer shell, inclusion of inserts, baffles, artificially roughened sinks, selective coatings etc. In some of the research works, nanoparticles were also used to enhance heat transfer properties of the heat transfer fluid. In this paper, detailed review of the experimental and numerical works carried out on heat transfer enhancement techniques which focus on minimization of heat loss, use of turbulators, addition of nanofluid and selective coatings in the receiver tube of a solar PTC are presented. Further the major reasons for heat loss in the receiver tube and comparative study of various heat transfer enhancement techniques are summarised.

A 50 year review of basic and applied research in compound parabolic concentrating solar thermal collector for domestic and industrial applications

Abstract: In the recent years, compound parabolic concentrating (CPC) collector draws the attention of researchers and industrial developers towards meeting the downstream requirement of about 60–240 °C because of its unique features of capturing the solar rays including diffuse rays, no tracking mechanism at low to moderate concentrations, minimal heat loss and higher collector efficiency. The objective of this review is to identify the research drift towards CPC collectors for domestic and industrial applications. In this study, a comprehensive review for the CPC solar collector was carried out for the past 50 years in terms of types, historical growth in milestones, concept, design strategies, heat transfer fluids, experimental studies, theoretical studies (Numerical studies and simulation studies), applications, standards, certifications, market players and recent developments. The review, exhibited that the CPC solar collector has been continuously developed, modified and improved to achieve better collector efficiency and there is a greater potential to increase its utilization in various applications in the near future.

A review of water heating technologies: An application to the South African context

Abstract: The process of water heating consumes enormous amounts of energy. South African households may see up to 40% of their total energy be allotted to the heating of water. The implementation of energy efficient or renewable energy source technologies, for the main purpose of heating water, may assist in reducing the magnitude of the energy crisis that South Africans are facing daily. This will, in turn, reduce energy consumption and costs, so that the energy price hikes do not affect the consumers as severely as it would otherwise. The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey of the most frequently used domestic water heating technologies. The paper aims to critically analyse and summarize recent advancements made in renewable and non-renewable water heating technologies, particularly in the South African case. These technologies include the electric storage tank water heater, solar water heaters (passive and active circulation), heat pump water heater, geothermal water heating, photovoltaic-thermal water heater, gas-fired tankless water heater, biomass water heater and oil-fired water heater. Substantial research works and other academic studies focusing on efficiency improvement, optimal design and control, were consulted and categorized in terms of contributions, focus and respective technologies. The key findings of the review conducted on the various water heating technologies are discussed and organized, based on the advantages, drawbacks, approximate initial investment, average life expectancy and payback period. The results of this survey identify gaps in existing research. The aim is to propose a new perspective on the importance of energy efficient hybrid water heating systems and the cost savings they might offer.