1. Objective

Develop an innovative, eco-friendly, and efficient sugar production process from sugarcane juice by integrating parabolic solar cooker technology for thermal energy, minimizing fossil fuel use, reducing carbon footprint, and enhancing rural economic sustainability.

2. Program Phases and Activities

Phase 1: Feasibility and Preliminary Research (3 months)

Literature Review:

• Review existing sugarcane processing technologies and solar thermal applications in food processing.
• Study solar cooker designs and performance metrics relevant to sugarcane juice evaporation and crystallization.

Material & Technology Assessment:

• Identify optimal materials for solar cooker construction (reflective surfaces, structural frames).
• Select manual and semi-automated sugarcane juicers adapted for small-to-medium scale.

Baseline Data Collection:

• Characterize local sugarcane varieties and juice properties (Brix, purity, pH).
• Collect solar radiation and climatic data for process design.

Phase 2: Prototype Development and Design Optimization (6 months)

Solar Cooker Engineering:

• Design and build a 1.40 m diameter parabolic solar cooker with adjustable focal point.
• Integrate temperature and solar tracking control systems.

Juice Extraction System:

• Develop or adapt manual sugarcane juicers optimized for throughput and minimal fiber contamination.

Evaporation and Cooking Module:

• Design evaporator vessels compatible with the solar cooker's focal point.
• Test thermal performance and heat distribution uniformity.

Crystallization and Molding Setup:

• Design molds and crystallizers for sugar formation post evaporation.
• Explore options for heat retention and gradual cooling.

Phase 3: Process Validation and Optimization (6 months)

Pilot Plant Setup:

• Assemble a pilot-scale production line incorporating all equipment: juicer, solar cooker, evaporator, crystallization molds.

Operational Trials:

• Conduct batch runs to optimize cooking time, yield, and sugar quality.
• Monitor energy efficiency, product purity, and losses.

Quality Analysis:

• Perform chemical and physical tests on produced sugar (moisture content, crystal size, color).
• Compare results with conventional fossil-fuel-based sugar production.

Phase 4: Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact Assessment (3 months)

Economic Feasibility Study:

• Analyze cost savings on fuel, labor, and maintenance.
• Project scalability and market potential.

Environmental Benefits:

• Calculate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Assess impact on local deforestation and air quality.

Social Impact:

• Evaluate benefits for rural communities in terms of employment and training.
• Document user acceptance and ease of operation.

Phase 5: Innovation and Technology Transfer (3 months)

Patent Application & Intellectual Property Management:

• File patents for novel solar cooker design adaptations and process improvements.

Training Programs:

• Develop manuals and training modules for operators and technicians.

Industry Collaboration:

• Partner with manufacturers for mass production of solar cookers and sugar processing equipment.

Pilot Deployment:

• Establish demonstration sites in target rural communities.

3. Expected Outcomes

• Fully functional solar-powered sugar production system for small-to-medium scale farms.
• Reduction in fossil fuel dependency and carbon emissions.
• Increased profitability and sustainability for local producers.
• Transferable technology adaptable to other regions and crops.

4. Team and Expertise

• Agronomists specializing in sugarcane cultivation.
• Mechanical and solar thermal engineers.
• Food scientists specializing in sugar crystallization.
• Environmental and social impact analysts.
• Intellectual property and business development experts.

5. Budget & Resources

• Detailed budgeting for materials, labor, testing, and dissemination activities.
• Identification of funding sources (grants, private investment, government support).

6. Timeline Overview