Performance optimization of a bush refrigerator "the pot in pot" for hot climate zones: Mali case study

Overall, in developing countries, the production and distribution of electricity are far from satisfactory, particularly in rural areas where electricity supply is almost nonexistent. The main activity in these areas is essentially agriculture, whose products need to be preserved after harvest. Sun drying, often used by populations, does not allow the consumption or the sale of often degraded products and therefore generates large losses. The bush refrigerator, called "the pot-in-pot," composed of two jars nested, one inside the other separated by a material medium and a lid, is one of the conservation solutions for these products from agriculture and especially for the difficult lean season. The present study focused on optimizing the performance of the so-called pot-in-pot refrigerator. Experimental investigations on its performance factors were performed. The shape and closure of the jars and also the material separating the two jars have been shown to be particularly important in the heat dissipation capacity in these systems. In addition, our bush refrigerator has been shown to be economically ten times less expensive to operate than an 85W electric refrigerator over the same period of operation.