Performance of a two channel suspended flat plate solar air heater

In the present communication, an analytical model to study the performance of a two channel suspended flat plate air heater is presented. The effect of different parameters, e.g. spacing between the plates, plate length, same and different flow rates of air in the two channels of the air heater, on the air temperature has been studied. A comparison of single channel and two channel air heaters has also been made. Numerical calculations have been made for a typical cold day in Delhi, viz. Jan. 26, 1980.     

Thermal performance investigation of double pass-finned plate solar air heater

In this paper, the double pass-finned plate solar air heater was investigated theoretically and experimentally. An analytical model for the air heater was presented. Numerical calculations had been performed under Tanta (latitude, 30° 47′N and longitude, 31°E) prevailing weather conditions. The theoretical predictions indicated that the agreement with the measured performance is fairly good. Comparisons between the measured outlet temperatures of flowing air, temperature of the absorber plate and output power of the double pass-finned and v-corrugated plate solar air heaters were also presented. The effect of mass flow rates of air on pressure drop, thermal and thermohydraulic efficiencies of the double pass-finned and v-corrugated plate solar air heaters were also investigated. The results showed that the double pass v-corrugated plate solar air heater is 9.3–11.9% more efficient compared to the double pass-finned plate solar air heater. It was also indicated that the peak values of the thermohydraulic efficiencies of the double pass-finned and v-corrugated plate solar air heaters were obtained when the mass flow rates of the flowing air equal 0.0125 and 0.0225 kg/s, respectively.     

Thermal performance optimization of a flat plate solar air heater using genetic algorithm

Thermal performance of solar air heater is low and different techniques are adopted to increase the performance of solar air heaters, such as: fins, artificial roughness etc. In this paper an attempt has been done to optimize the thermal performance of flat plate solar air heater by considering the different system and operating parameters to obtain maximum thermal performance. Thermal performance is obtained for different Reynolds number, emissivity of the plate, tilt angle and number of glass plates by using genetic algorithm.     

Analysis of a glass solar air heater

A matrix solar collector fabricated from broken glass pieces is being supposed to be a thermally efficient and economically cheap system for heating air. In this communication, we develop an analysis to study the performance of such a system. Typical cases considered are (i) top surface blackened, (ii) all glass pieces blackened and (iii) bottom surface blackened. Numerical calculations have been performed to study the effect of single and double glazing and insulation at the bottom, besides the effect of other physical parameters.     

Optimization of a smooth flat plate solar air heater using stochastic iterative perturbation technique

Due to low heat transfer capability, the thermal efficiency of solar collectors is very low and various techniques are implemented to increase the performance of solar air heaters. There is a need for optimization of design and operating parameters for maximizing the thermal gain from the solar air heating systems. In this paper a stochastic iterative perturbation technique (SIPT) is implemented to obtain the optimized set of different system and operating parameters i.e. the number of glass cover plate, emissivity of the plate, mean plate temperature, rise in temperature, tilt angle and solar radiation intensity for different Reynolds number. The results obtained have also been compared with the results obtained from genetic algorithm and random search global optimization technique for smooth flat plate solar air heater.     

A two-pass solar air heater

The performance of a solar heater depends on the losses from the collector surfaces. The losses through the bottom and sides of the heater may be reduced or almost eliminated by the use of adequate insulation. In an attempt to reduce the losses from the glass cover of the simple two-glass cover air heater, a unit was constructed in which provision was made for the air to pass between the glass panes before passing through the blackened metal collector (two pass). It was found that the outer glass cover temperatures under these conditions were significantly lower (4–10°F over the day) and much nearer atmospheric temperatures compared to those when the collector was operated in the conventional single-pass manner. Consequently, efficiencies of the order of 10–15 per cent higher, were obtained. It was also found that smaller separations between the two glass panes yielded better results with the two-pass mode of operation.     

A two-pass solar air heater

An air heater, in which the air first flows between metallic and cover plates and is then made to flow between two metallic plates in opposite direction, is discussed theoretically. The governing equations of the model are solved explicitly under suitable conditions. The measured values of the solar insolation and ambient temperature are represented by Fourier series. The effects of collector length and flow rate have been studied. The air heater in this mode of operation is more efficient than one in which air flows between two metallic plates in the same direction, provided the plate length is less than 5 m.     

High efficiency solar air heater

This article presents an analysis for a novel type of solar air heater. The main idea is to minimize heat losses from the front cover of the collector and to maximize heat extraction from the absorber. This can be done by forcing air to flow over the front glass cover (preheat the air) before passing through the absorber. Hence, this design needs an extra cover to form a counter-flow heat exchanger. Porous media forms an extensive area for heat transfer, where the volumetric heat transfer coefficient is very high. Hence, using a porous absorber will enhance heat transfer from the absorber to the airstream. In the design of this type of collector, which combines double air passage and porous media, care should be taken to minimize pressure drop. However, the thermal efficiency of this type of collector is significantly higher than the thermal efficiency of conventional air heaters. The thermal efficiency of the suggested collector exceeds 75% under normal operating conditions. The pressure drop is not so significant if high porous medium is used and careful design of U-return section is considered.     

Analysis of a non-porous double-flow solar air heater

In this paper, we present the theory of a non-porous air heater in which the air is blown both below and above the absorbing surface. Explicit expressions for the outlet air temperature and useful heat flux have been obtained in terms of mass flow rate of the air, distance along the direction of air flow and other relevant parameters. The double-flow air heater is found to perform more efficiently than a single-flow air heater.     

Thermal performance of a new solar air heater

A solar air heater, part of a food drying system using solar energy as a renewable energy source for heat, was developed and tested for several agricultural products (i.e., sultana grapes, green beans, sweet peppers, chilli peppers). Drying processes were conducted in the chamber with forced natural air heated partly by solar energy. Solar air heater performances were discussed along with estimates of energy efficiency of the system. The obtained results indicate that the present system is efficient and effective.     

Thermal and thermohydraulic performance of roughened solar air heater having protruded absorber plate

Thermal performance of solar air heater does not take into account energy loss due to friction for propelling air through the duct. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate thermohydraulic performance in order to investigate simultaneous effect of thermal and hydraulic characteristics on performance of solar air heater. In the present paper thermal and thermohydraulic performance of smooth as well as roughened solar air heater has been investigated with the help of a mathematical model. Absorber plate of solar air heater has been roughened with the formation of protrusions. Optimum value of each roughness geometry parameter has been obtained on the basis of thermal and effective efficiency of roughened solar air heater. Design plots have also been prepared in order to facilitate the designer for designing such type of roughened solar air heater within the investigated range of system and operating parameters.     

Simulation study of solar air heater

A mathematical model for predicting thermal efficiency, heat gain, and outlet air temperature of a covered plate attic solar collector under steady conditions was developed. The model presented in this paper utilizes the basic principles and relationships of heat transfer to simulate the behavior of the solar air heaters under various conditions. The model was validated by comparing the predicted outlet air temperatures and collector efficiencies to those measured during drying operation of an attic solar collector. The effect of the air speed inside the collector and wind speed above the collector on the collector efficiency were investigated using the mathematical model.     

Performance studies on flat plate solar air heater subjected to various flow patterns

The performance of flat plate solar air heater subjected to various flow patterns (over flow, under flow and double pass) were experimentally investigated. An aluminium flat plate of 1.2. × 0.7 m² size was employed as absorber plate. Two glass plates of similar size were used as protection for heat loss from absorber plate to atmosphere. Performance of the solar air heater at various mass flow rates (0.014, 0.0279 and 0.042 kg/s) was also reported. Thermal efficiency is recorded higher during double pass experimental conditions. Heat gained by air is found higher at experimental conditions having double pass when compared with over flow and under flow.     

Functional aspects of a porous bed solar air heater

We have developed the theory of a matrix air heater with a rear plate, investigated the role of individual components, and studied the performance differences for air flowing downwards and air flowing upwards through the matrix. The system is compared with an air heater of conventional design with flow between 2 plates.     

Performance of suspended flat plate air heater

In this communication, a heat transfer model to predict the transient behaviour of a suspended flat plate solar collector with constant flow of fluid (air) above the absorber has been presented. A reflecting sheet with an air gap between the absorber plate and bottom insulation to reduce heat loss has been used. The effect, on performance of the air heater, of the parameters viz, spacing between cover and plate, heat capacity of air and absorber plate, flow rate of fluid and collector length have been studied. The effect of changing the averaging inlet temperature with varying collector length has also been studied.     

Thermotechnical efficiency of two-channel solar air heater

A generalized nonstationary numerical heat model of a solar air-heating collector (SHC) with smooth channels is developed. The results of the investigations make it possible to establish several requirements relating to the constructive parameters of the SHC.     

Second law optimization of a solar air heater having chamfered rib–groove roughness on absorber plate

Artificially roughened solar air heaters perform better than the plane ones under the same operating conditions. However, artificial roughness leads to even more fluid pressure thereby increasing the pumping power. The entropy generation in the duct of solar air heater having repeated transverse chamfered rib–groove roughness on one broad wall is studied numerically. Roughness parameters, viz., relative roughness pitch P/e, relative roughness height e/D_h relative groove position g/P, chamfer angle φ and flow Reynolds number Re have a combined effect on the heat transfer as well as fluid friction. The entropy generation is minimized and reasonably optimized designs of roughness are found.     

Correlations for solar air heater duct with dimpled shape roughness elements on absorber plate

An experimental investigation has been carried out for a range of system and operating parameters in order to analyse the effect of artificial roughness on heat transfer and friction characteristics in solar air heater duct which is having dimple shaped elements arranged in angular fashion (arc) as roughness elements on absorber plate. Duct has an aspect ratio (W/H) of 11, relative roughness pitch (p/e) range of 10–20, relative roughness height (e/D_h) range of 0.021–0.036, arc angle (α) range of 45–75° and Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 3600 to 18,000. A considerable increase in heat transfer and friction loss has been observed. The experimental data have been used to develop Nusselt number and friction factor correlations as a function of roughness parameters and operating parameters.     

Performance of solar air heater ducts with different types of ribs on the absorber plate

Repeated ribs are considered an effective technique to enhance forced convection heat transfer in channels. In order to establish the performance of rib-roughened channels, both heat transfer and friction characteristics have to be accounted for. In the present paper, heat transfer coefficients and friction factors have been experimentally investigated for a rectangular channel having one wall roughened by repeated ribs and heated at uniform flux, while the remaining three walls were smooth and insulated. Angled continuous ribs, transverse continuous and broken ribs, and discrete V-shaped ribs were considered as rib configurations. Different performance evaluation criteria, based on energy balance or entropy generation analysis, were proposed to assess the relative merit of each rib configuration. All the rib-roughened channels performed better than the reference smooth channel in the medium-low range of the investigated Reynolds number values, which is that typically encountered in solar air heater applications.     

Effect of porous media on the performance of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater

The heat transfer characteristics and performance of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater with and without porous media are studied numerically. The mathematical models described the heat transfer characteristics of the double-pass flat plate solar air heater are derived from the energy conservation equations. The implicit method of finite-difference scheme is employed to solve these models. The effect of the thermal conductivity of the porous media on the heat transfer characteristics and performance is considered. The results obtained from the model are validated by comparison with experimental data of previous researchers. There is reasonable agreement between the present model and experiment.