Presented-by-Larana-Group.pdf.ppddff.pdf

Solar oven

1. Building a Solar Oven: Exploring
Heat Transfer and Energy
Efficiency

2. ABSTRACT
This research project investigated using a pizza box to build a simple solar oven
from readily available materials to assess its cooking effectiveness and promote
sustainable cooking. The oven, using aluminum foil, cling wrap, and black
construction paper, successfully melted marshmallows but struggled with
thicker foods like pancakes and eggs, indicating needed improvements in
insulation and heat retention for consistent heating. Despite limitations, the
study showed potential for using simple materials for solar oven construction,
with further research needed to improve performance.

3. Solar ovens use the sun's energy to cook food, offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative
to traditional methods, especially in sunny areas. Sunlight concentrates on a dark surface,
absorbing heat and transferring it to food via solar thermal energy conversion, reaching
temperatures up to 400°F (204°C). Designs vary from simple box ovens to parabolic reflectors,
depending on temperature needs, materials, and use. Different designs—box, parabolic, and
panel cookers—have varying efficiencies and capabilities, influenced by location, climate, and
cookware. Local solar oven fabrication enhances energy independence and creates jobs. The
socio-economic impact emphasizes localized adaptation in design and implementation. Solar
cookers improve food security and contribute to climate change mitigation, with ongoing
research addressing energy poverty and fostering sustainable practices
Introduction
Background of the Study

4. OBJECTIVES:
3. To educate participants on the
principles of renewable energy
and solar oven designed with
optimal insulation and high-
quality reflective sustainable
cooking practices.
2. To measure and analyze
the heat transfer
efficiency of the
constructed solar oven
under different
environmental conditions.
To design and
construct an
effective solar oven
utilizing commonly
available materials.
1.

5. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
How long will it take for the solar oven to cook the food?1.
It will take time for the solar oven to cook the food
because it depends on the weather.
1.
Lining an oven with aluminum foil will make it heat up more
because metal attract and hold the heat.
2.
Hypothesis:
2. How does lining the interior surface of a solar oven with
different materials impact the oven's performance?

6. This initiative enhances understanding of sustainable cooking by
demonstrating solar energy use, highlighting the environmental
impact of traditional cooking methods, and advocating for
renewable energy in areas with limited access to conventional
energy. It also holds future educational value by improving
understanding of heat transfer and engineering design.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

7. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:
This study explores building simple solar ovens from readily available
materials to determine their cooking effectiveness in outdoor experiments.
Limitations include variable weather factors, inability to test in different
regions or climates, and focus on simple cooking tasks, excluding complex
techniques requiring advanced equipment.

8. METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY
This project will demonstrate the construction of a simple solar oven using readily available materials. The materials chosen for
this project are:
A. Pizza box: The pizza box serves as the primary structure of the oven, providing a sturdy and insulated container
for heat retention.
B. Aluminum foil: The aluminum foil acts as a reflective surface, directing sunlight into the interior of the oven to
concentrate heat.
C. Cling wrap: The cling wrap functions as a transparent window, allowing sunlight to penetrate while trapping
heat within the oven, creating a greenhouse effect.
D. Black construction paper : The black material absorbs sunlight, converting it into heat energy that can be
used for cooking.
E. Scissors: For cutting the materials.
F. Tape: To secure the materials.

9. Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Box
Remove the top flap of the pizza box, leaving the bottom and side flap intact. Cut a square opening in the top flap to
create the oven window.
Step 2: Create a Reflective Interior
Line the inside of the box with aluminum foil, ensuring a smooth and reflective surface.
Step 3: Build the Oven Stand
Fold the side flap inwards to create a stand for the oven.
Step 4: Enhance Heat Absorption
Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper to absorb heat.
Step 5: Seal the Oven Window
Cut a piece of clear cling wrap slightly larger than the oven window and secure it over the window using tape, creating
a tight seal.
PROCEDURE:

10. Different foods and different cooking times produced varying results from the solar
oven tests carried out. After two hours, marshmallows softened, showing sufficient
heat for melting. The pancake was partially cooked, its outer layers done while the
inside remained soft, suggesting adequate surface heat but insufficient
temperature for thicker items. The egg yolk set (over 60°C), but remained
uncooked, indicating the oven didn't achieve the consistent temperature range
needed for complete egg cooking.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

11. Table 1. Observation of how the food was cooked.
Trial
1st trial
2nd trial
3rd trial
Food
Marshmallows
Pancake
Egg
Time
2hrs
33mins & 38sec
3hrs & 25min
Temperature
63°C
65°C
62°C
Observation
The marshmallows
soften a bit.
The pancake was cooked
but still soft inside.
The egg yolk hardened but
was not cooked.

12. The results from the experiments indicate that the constructed solar oven is a possible tool for
sustainable cooking in the future. For the melting of marshmallows, the oven was able to reach
quite sufficient temperatures, but it had trouble on a consistent basis cooking projects that were a
bit thicker, such as pancakes and eggs. This suggests that the work on insulation and heat
retention needs to improve the stove's temperature and cooking time workability. Additionally, the
experiments emphasize the importance of factors such as the intensity of sunlight and the type of
food when using a solar stove. Future research ought to focus on testing various insulation
materials and techniques to enhance heat retention, assess the impact of changing weather on the
stove's performance, and investigate other alternative solar oven designs that could maximize heat
concentration and regulate temperature.

13. The research proved a simple solar oven can be built from readily available materials,
successfully melting marshmallows, showing promise as a sustainable, low-cost cooking
option. However, cooking varied by food and time, needing optimization for efficiency and
consistency. While sufficient for simple tasks, thicker items proved challenging, highlighting
the need for improved insulation and heat retention. Sunlight intensity and food type are
important considerations. Future research should focus on enhanced insulation, optimized
design (e.g., parabolic reflectors), varied weather testing, comparisons to other methods,
and promotion through workshops and campaigns to increase solar oven adoption in off-grid
regions.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

14. THANK
YOU