Papasan chair solar cooker: Difference between revisions

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Background

The word "Synergy" comes from the Greek words for “to work together”. This project combines the existing parabolic shape and comfortable sitting cushion of the Papasan chair with the natural-source energy utilization of the solar cooker. My hope was that, in the spirit of synergy, the whole would be greater than the sum of the parts and that people may find the idea of owning a solar cooker more practical if they can also sit and read a book in it when its not in use. Compared to the traditional mono-functional Parabolic Solar Cooker, this project serves as a chair when not in use, which saves space and is less of a fire hazard than the traditional Parabolic Solar Cooker. The opportunity to work with Bart Orlando means that this project can benefit from innovative design that comes from years of experience. It is built mostly from salvaged materials as to not contribute to consumption.

Literature Review

http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Compendium_of_solar_cooker_designs

• http://solarcooking.org/ http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/research/solarthermal/solar_cooker/documents/reflectivematerialsreport.pdf

Criteria

These are the criteria that the project was designed to meet.

Time – Must be able to be designed and constructed within the timeframe of one college semester, or about 4 months of part time labor.

Budget – No set budget, however the more materials that can be salvaged or easily acquired by most people, the better.

Durability – Reflectors must be able to withstand periodic exposure to the elements, especially sun, over the course or years. Also, sitting in the chair must not damage the reflectors.

Portability - The device should be lightweight so that one person could move it without toil, and compact enough to be towed via bike trailer. Rattan, the fiber that many Papasan chairs are made from, is reasonably light weight- making reflector material the key issue in terms of weight.

Design - Should incorporate new improvements or previously not thought of innovations to the solar cooker plan.

Synergy/Integration - Should be a multi functional device, capable of easily purifying water as well as cooking food, igniting paper or grass when needed, and still be able to fit easily into an everyday household setting.

Level of embedded energy - Materials should be found or salvaged so that it can be shown that this can be built without industrial equipment.

Ease of use - If multiple parts are to be used, then they should be safe, employ intuitive design, and not require the use of tools for operation.

Design

Solar Cooker Basics: A solar cooker is used to concentrate sunlight onto a pot or dish for efficient, fuel-free cooking. There are several shapes a solar cooker can take on, from box-like to parabolic, spherical, funnels and plane mirrors. Each form has different pros and cons in terms of construction, durability, materials, performance, etc. Solar Cooker Concerns: Parabolic cookers seem to be heavier and more expensive than other types, and also need constant tracking. However, they are widely used because they reach higher temperatures and have the potential for durability and multiple functions. A reflective surface must be found that is lightweight, preferably salvageable so that it does not have to be purchased new, and most importantly a strong durable reflector. The parabola should have a deep-focus so that it does not pose a fire hazard. These are (reportedly) slightly harder to build than shallow focusing parabolas. Also, the parabola should be stable in moderate wind, a common issue in cooker design. Types of parabolic constructions: Within the realm of the parabolic cooker there are many variations. The parabola frame can be constructed from almost anything; it can be cast from a mold, fabricated, or utilize a pre-existing paraboloid. The frame can also be the reflective surface itself, in the case of sheet metal parabolas. It seems to me, and to Bart who has much experience, that a used Papasan Chair would provide a stable, sturdy and possibly deep focused frame without having to purchase new materials. It would also be the easiest form of fabrication. This method is not available in all areas, but there are probably enough old satellite dishes to provide cookers for a significant part of the population. The reflective surface itself can be Mylar, glass, or steel, aluminum, each varying in weight, price and availability used.

Table for materials

Implementation

Always over-build

Cost

Papasan Chair - Donated

4 X 8 Anodized Aluminum Sheet - Donated*

Ball of Hemp Twine - $3.50

Pliers - borrowed

3 Bamboo poles sized 8' by 1 - mad river garden supply -

3' Length of chain - ace hardware

• Notes on reflector

From working with Bart Orlando, I had the opportunity to

Things to look out for

External Links

http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Compendium_of_solar_cooker_designs An Excellent Overv [[Image:]]