Energy-based performance analysis of a double pass solar air collector integrated to triangular shaped fins

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of a double pass solar air collector with triangular integrated fins was investigated experimentally at Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő, Hungary. The focus of this research is on energy-based performance evaluation. The thermal efficiency of the collector has been compared by testing two collectors that had the same design, with and without fins. The effect of the collector's air mass flow rate on thermal performance was investigated under various environmental situations. The results revealed that the temperature difference is always higher through the finned collector and the higher variation temperature between the inlet and outlet temperature leads to higher useful heat. The daily thermal efficiency of the finned collector was 56.57%, 59.41%, and 61.42%, while for the un-finned collector was 51.04%, 53.28%, and 57.08% for the mass flow rate 0.0081, 0.0101, and 0.0121 kg/s. The finned double pass solar air collector improved the thermal efficiency by 4.3–6.1% over the un-finned one. The efficiency of the finned collector is always higher than the un-finned one regardless of the mass flow rate. The presence of the fins to the top air channels significantly increases collector efficiency, owing to the increased absorbing surface area, which is responsible for increasing the internal thermal convective exchanges. Moreover, it creates a turbulence airflow, meaning that the air will be in good contact with the absorber plate and penetrate all regions, reducing the dead zones contributing to increased heat transfer.

Comparison of different designs of solar air heater with the simple solar heater of having reflecting mirrors

“…It can be clearly seen from Table 3, the dimensions of the box of the SSAHF and number of fins are quite larger than the Machi et al 23 due to that the heat absorbed by the SSAHF and the heat transfer by the fins are larger than the Machi et al 23 Figure 19(a) and (b) show that the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of SSAHF is higher than the Machi et al 23 since at the same solar flux, the heat absorption and the heat transfer rate to the air by the absorber plate is higher in the SSAHF.…”

“…The TD increases from 9 AM to 12 PM and starts to reduce after 12 PM to the evening. 10,14,23 The maximum TD was obtained in the SSAHR (56°C) and the minimum temperature difference was obtained in the SSAH (52°C). The temperature difference of SSAHF (54°C) lies between the SSAH and SSAHR.…”

“…The results saw that the thermal efficiency of the solar air heater has increased by 51.04% to 56.57% at a mass flow rate of 0.0081 kg/s. 23 The turbulence in the flow path of air in the channel improved the performance of the solar air heater. The helical flow path in the triangular channel improved the performance of the solar air heater by 16.5%.…”

“…The results saw that the thermal efficiency of the solar air heater has increased by 51.04% to 56.57% at a mass flow rate of 0.0081 kg/s. 23…”

Comparison of the Efficiency of Polycrystalline and Thin-Film Photovoltaic Outdoors

“…When fossil fuels are in constant decline with a continuous change in world oil prices, it is necessary to search for a suitable and alternative energy source. Traditional fuels are becoming scarce, and environmental concerns and global warming are becoming significant issues that must be addressed [1]. From the previous research that dealt with a review of sustainable energy, it seems that it has a real possibility of generating electrical energy.…”