Integration of experimental data and CFD modeling for the analysis of solar thermal systems applied to solar cooking

Abstract

This work presents a comprehensive study integrating experimental validation and numerical modeling of solar energy applications using three complementary approaches. First, the Heliodome solar simulator was evaluated for its ability to replicate real-world irradiance and temperature conditions. The system demonstrated strong agreement with validated datasets such as NSRDB and PVGIS, particularly in the visible spectrum and under varying configurations. It proved effective in simulating irradiance levels from 100 to 4000 W/m² and temperatures from 30 °C to 100 °C, supporting its use in a range of solar energy experiments. Second, a solar thermal cooker using a circular trough collector was designed, optimized, and evaluated both experimentally and through computational simulations. The design achieved an optical efficiency of 72.4%, with temperatures suitable for cooking and water heating, while simplifying construction compared to parabolic alternatives. Lastly, a CFD-based model was developed to simulate the thermal behavior of a hard-boiled egg, treating the egg content as a phase-change material (PCM). The model accurately predicted phase transitions and temperature profiles, showing good agreement with controlled experiments and literature data. Overall, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of combining simulation and experimentation to enhance the design, validation, and optimization of solar energy systems and thermal processes.