Welcome to the home of interactive3d learning objects

Solar cooker

This simulation shows how solar cookers can be used to prepare food -and in the case of the box cooker, to also pasteurise water. Two types of cooker are shown, the parabolic and box cooker.

Solar cookers are pollution free, mobile, easy to use, are characterised by low maintenance and how free solar energy is harnessed to provide heat and to prepare food.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

Solar water heater (heat-barrel)

This simulation shows how a standard wheelbarrow can be combined with an insulated plastic solar water heating container that heats up to 25 litres of water to about 60 degrees Celsius, more than adequate for normal household use, and also provides an easy way to transfer water to the home. The maximum temperature is obtained just after mid-day. Thereafter, the hot water can be used for washing and other cleaning functions by opening the inlet/outlet tap.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

Coal-fired stove

This simulation shows the “low smoke” stove; a cheap and efficient solution for heating and cooking requirements in the home that also generates less harmful emissions than similar coal stoves. Because of the low thermal mass, the stove heats up quicker and has fewer problems with smoke during light-up. The stove uses the “upside-down” burning method, proven to reduce smoke emissions and use less fuel than conventional coal stoves.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

What is a Dish Stirling Engine

This simulation shows how the Dish Stirling engine system uses sun-tracking mirrors to collect solar energy and concentrate the energy onto the Stirling engine that converts the energy into electricity.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

Fuel cell

This simulation shows a fuel cell - an electrochemical device that converts energy via a chemical reaction directly into electrical energy. The fuel cell is an electrochemical device while a battery is an energy storage device. Although this is seen as “electricity generation” of the future, the concept has been around for more than 150 years. Compared to a battery, a fuel cell is much more efficient in generating electricity. Its internal resistance remains constant while that of a battery changes over time.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

Low-cost injection moulding system

There are many uses for plastic products today, but it is expensive to set up a small plastics business. Equipment can be complex, expensive and usually requires three phase power – which excludes many rural communities. The Low Cost Injection Moulding machine was developed to solve these problems and can make low volume, low cost plastic product, enabling the rural manufacturer to make plastic products for the local market. It only requires a single-phase electricity supply.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.

What is a Biomass gasifier

This simulation shows the basic principles of a Biomass Gasifier system, including the cyclone, scrubber and Hercules gas-engine. A Gasifier provides a self-contained, efficient and reliable alternative source of energy from biomass fuel. It is cheap to run, generates far less harmful air emissions and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It also allows for the efficient use of wood waste, produces virtually tar-free gas and can be used to electrify small industries or communities.

Sponsored by ESKOM (SACECS) in 2002.