Phase change thermal storage block for use with solar box cookers
This paper suggests two areas in which the effectiveness of the basic solar box collector (SBC) might be improved: conduction from a relatively thick plate to the food container could be utilized to transfer heat at higher temperatures than can be transferred convectively; thermal energy storage could be used to extend the time during which the SBC can cook food. The phase change thermal storage block incorporates both of these improvements. As the name suggests, it can store thermal energy collected during the morning and afternoon hours for conductive heat transfer to a food container in the late afternoon or after the sun has set. This solar hotplate can thus be used to cook food faster than the basic solar box cooker and can do so at times when the latter is not useful. The phase change thermal storage block was tested in the SBC on four separate occasions and temperatures were more than adequate to cook food. However, a leak occurred in the thermal storage box causing leakage of benzoic acid. Further, the tests indicated the need for a PCM with a higher latent heat of fusion per unit mass. Benzoic acid`s relatively low latent heat of fusion and its toxicity are both serious problems.
- OSTI ID:
- 139823
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9206399-; TRN: IM9330%%109
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1. world conference on solar cooking, Stockton, CA (United States), 19-20 Jun 1992; Other Information: PBD: 1992; Related Information: Is Part Of Advances in solar cooking: Proceedings of the first world conference on solar cooking; Pejack, E. [ed.]; PB: 161 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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