Heat Transfer Optimization of a Solar Radiation Concrete Oven for Rural Areas

I. Abu-Mahfouz [1], G. F. Mathews IV [1], M. J. Young [1],
[1] Penn State University Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, USA
Published in 2016

The process of creating healthy food and drinking water typically requires electricity and fuel sources that are not available in rural areas. Africa has an abundance of solar radiation which when properly harnessed creates a viable heating source for cooking food and purifying water. This work will investigate the design of a prototype solar radiation concrete oven for cooking food and treating water for viruses. Materials and the geometry of the prototype oven are optimized through parametric heat transfer studies using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The heat transfer results show that some layers of insulation can be removed and the oven will still meet its target heat range.