Abstract
The central objective of the present research is to serve as an in-depth technical introduction to small-scale concentrating systems tailored for application especially in rural areas in Africa located outside the national electricity grids. For example, MSc and doctoral-students recently matriculated on NUFU-sponsorship at some universities in Africa (i.e Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Ethiopia) for research in solar-concentrator technologies will find most of the material in this work quite useful. Chapter 1 discusses the premise on which this research is based. It essentially highlights the gravity of the energy crisis as experienced by the impoverished masses living in most parts of Africa. The situation in Zimbabwe was discussed in detail (for case-studies1) because it is a suitable example added to the convenience of being the country of the author's origin. The second chapter is thus a detailed study on the solar energy resource situation in Zimbabwe. It describes the availability and patterns of solar energy based on the existing solar radiation data obtained from meteorological stations scattered throughout the country. These results were necessary for assessing the potential of the proposed system in Zimbabwe, and can also be extended for use in other solar energy projects. Chapter 3
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Citation Formats
Chikukwa, Actor.
Modelling of a solar stove: small scale concentrating system with heat storage: potential for cooking in rural areas, Zimbabwe.
Norway: N. p.,
2007.
Web.
Chikukwa, Actor.
Modelling of a solar stove: small scale concentrating system with heat storage: potential for cooking in rural areas, Zimbabwe.
Norway.
Chikukwa, Actor.
2007.
"Modelling of a solar stove: small scale concentrating system with heat storage: potential for cooking in rural areas, Zimbabwe."
Norway.
@misc{etde_952045,
title = {Modelling of a solar stove: small scale concentrating system with heat storage: potential for cooking in rural areas, Zimbabwe}
author = {Chikukwa, Actor}
abstractNote = {The central objective of the present research is to serve as an in-depth technical introduction to small-scale concentrating systems tailored for application especially in rural areas in Africa located outside the national electricity grids. For example, MSc and doctoral-students recently matriculated on NUFU-sponsorship at some universities in Africa (i.e Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Ethiopia) for research in solar-concentrator technologies will find most of the material in this work quite useful. Chapter 1 discusses the premise on which this research is based. It essentially highlights the gravity of the energy crisis as experienced by the impoverished masses living in most parts of Africa. The situation in Zimbabwe was discussed in detail (for case-studies1) because it is a suitable example added to the convenience of being the country of the author's origin. The second chapter is thus a detailed study on the solar energy resource situation in Zimbabwe. It describes the availability and patterns of solar energy based on the existing solar radiation data obtained from meteorological stations scattered throughout the country. These results were necessary for assessing the potential of the proposed system in Zimbabwe, and can also be extended for use in other solar energy projects. Chapter 3 focuses on the collection of solar radiation using parabolic concentrators. Major determinants that include errors and optical sensitivity of parabolic solar collectors, the correlation between receiver configuration and the parabolic collector are expounded. Arguments for and the main principle on how-to incorporate a mechanical solar tracking device are also laid-out in this part of the thesis. A very critical component of the concentrating system: the volumetric fibrous receiver, is described in the 4th chapter. Here, the theory on which one of the major computer programmes developed in this research, is given an in-depth treatment. The gist of this programme is to simulate the heat transfer mechanisms taking place within the fibrous receiver during operation. The predicted results are then presented and discussed in detail. The transportation of the hot air from the receiver, the ceding of its sensible energy to rockbed thermal storage and insulation are deliberated in chapter 5. Another major computer programme that models these processes is written, in which case, results for different inputs are discussed and compared. The need to devise an airpump capable of adjusting the mass flow rate in order to sustain a constant inlet air temperature to the storage is highlighted. Chapter 6 describes the design of the hotplates and their incorporation to the storage unit. The premise on which the third major computer model in this work is discussed in detail. This simulation programme attempts to model a cooking process, in which case, the thermal storage is simultaneously discharged. The results are presented and an overview of the merits of a successful system are briefly discussed. Finally, major conclusions, recommendations and areas for further study are given(Author). refs., figs., tabs}
place = {Norway}
year = {2007}
month = {Oct}
}
title = {Modelling of a solar stove: small scale concentrating system with heat storage: potential for cooking in rural areas, Zimbabwe}
author = {Chikukwa, Actor}
abstractNote = {The central objective of the present research is to serve as an in-depth technical introduction to small-scale concentrating systems tailored for application especially in rural areas in Africa located outside the national electricity grids. For example, MSc and doctoral-students recently matriculated on NUFU-sponsorship at some universities in Africa (i.e Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Ethiopia) for research in solar-concentrator technologies will find most of the material in this work quite useful. Chapter 1 discusses the premise on which this research is based. It essentially highlights the gravity of the energy crisis as experienced by the impoverished masses living in most parts of Africa. The situation in Zimbabwe was discussed in detail (for case-studies1) because it is a suitable example added to the convenience of being the country of the author's origin. The second chapter is thus a detailed study on the solar energy resource situation in Zimbabwe. It describes the availability and patterns of solar energy based on the existing solar radiation data obtained from meteorological stations scattered throughout the country. These results were necessary for assessing the potential of the proposed system in Zimbabwe, and can also be extended for use in other solar energy projects. Chapter 3 focuses on the collection of solar radiation using parabolic concentrators. Major determinants that include errors and optical sensitivity of parabolic solar collectors, the correlation between receiver configuration and the parabolic collector are expounded. Arguments for and the main principle on how-to incorporate a mechanical solar tracking device are also laid-out in this part of the thesis. A very critical component of the concentrating system: the volumetric fibrous receiver, is described in the 4th chapter. Here, the theory on which one of the major computer programmes developed in this research, is given an in-depth treatment. The gist of this programme is to simulate the heat transfer mechanisms taking place within the fibrous receiver during operation. The predicted results are then presented and discussed in detail. The transportation of the hot air from the receiver, the ceding of its sensible energy to rockbed thermal storage and insulation are deliberated in chapter 5. Another major computer programme that models these processes is written, in which case, results for different inputs are discussed and compared. The need to devise an airpump capable of adjusting the mass flow rate in order to sustain a constant inlet air temperature to the storage is highlighted. Chapter 6 describes the design of the hotplates and their incorporation to the storage unit. The premise on which the third major computer model in this work is discussed in detail. This simulation programme attempts to model a cooking process, in which case, the thermal storage is simultaneously discharged. The results are presented and an overview of the merits of a successful system are briefly discussed. Finally, major conclusions, recommendations and areas for further study are given(Author). refs., figs., tabs}
place = {Norway}
year = {2007}
month = {Oct}
}