Theoretical and experimental analysis of heat transfer enhancement using a dome-finned pot in a box-type solar cooker

The growing demand for sustainable cooking technologies requires systems that improve thermal efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and operate effectively under varying climatic conditions. This study presents an integrated experimental–numerical–AI framework for evaluating and optimizing a box-type solar cooker equipped with a novel dome-shaped aluminum fin attached to the cooking pot. The dome-fin enhances heat transfer by increasing the effective surface area for conductive, convective, and radiative heat exchange within the cooker. Transient heat transfer behavior is analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics simulations with mesh independence validation, while controlled outdoor experiments were conducted at SMVDU, Jammu (32.95° N, 74.93° E), to assess real-world performance. An artificial intelligence (AI) model is developed to predict cooker performance under varying solar irradiance and load conditions. The results show that the dome-fin configuration increases cooking power from 84.51 W to 89.32 W and reduces the cooking time for a 1.5 kg load from 120 min to 95 min. The second figure of merit (F 2 ) improves from 0.29 to 0.33, indicating enhanced thermal efficiency and heat utilization. The average convective heat transfer coefficient is estimated to be 8 W m −2 K −1 , while the AI model predicts performance with an error below 5%. In addition, the proposed design offers an annual carbon mitigation potential of approximately 135 kg CO 2 per unit and an economic payback period of about 1.2 years. The integration of innovative fin geometry, validated simulation, experimental verification, and AI-based prediction provides a scalable pathway for the development of efficient solar thermal cooking systems that support sustainability and decarbonization goals.