Title: Omani Bedouins' readiness to accept solar thermoelectric refrigeration systems

Authors: Sabah A. Abdul-Wahab, Ali Elkamel, Ali M. Al-Damkhi, Is'haq A. Al-Habsi, Hilal S. Al-Rubai'ey, Abdulaziz K. Al-Battashi, Ali R. Al-Tamimi, Khamis H. Al-Mamari, Muhammad U. Chutani

Addresses: College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3 G1, Canada. ' Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), State of Kuwait. ' College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' College of Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al Khoud, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: In this work, a portable solar thermoelectric refrigerator was built in order to help Bedouin people living in remote parts of Oman. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of the implementation of the fabricated solar thermoelectric refrigerator. To this end, a survey questionnaire was conducted in order to evaluate the willingness of the Bedouin to buy the designed unit. Various questions were asked to assess the attitudes and the opinion of Bedouin on various issues related to the refrigerator. These questions mainly concentrated on people|s satisfaction with the performance of the conventional refrigerator and their readiness to buy solar-powered refrigerators. The results of the survey indicated that the refrigerator was marketable in the Bedouin Desert. The results of the survey also revealed that the Bedouin people are seriously concerned with environmental issues and want to make a conscious effort to protect the environment.

Keywords: thermoelectric refrigeration; survey questionnaire; energy technology; Oman; portable refrigerators; solar refrigeration; Bedouin; solar energy; solar power; environmental protection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2009.023215

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2009 Vol.7 No.1, pp.127 - 136

Published online: 14 Feb 2009 *

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