Mathematical Modeling of Dual Intake Transparent Transpired Solar Collector

Abstract

Nowadays, in several types of commercial or institutional buildings, a significant rise of transpired solar collectors used to preheat the fresh air of the building can be observed. Nevertheless, when the air mass flow rate is low, the collector efficiency collapses and a large amount of energy remains unused. This paper presents a simple yet effective mathematical model of a transparent transpired solar collector (TTC) with dual intake in order to remove stagnation problems in the plenum and ensure a better thermal efficiency and more heat recovery. A thermal model and a pressure loss model were developed. Then, the combined model was validated with experimental data from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC). The results show that the collector efficiency can be up to 70% and even 80% regardless of operating conditions. The temperature gain is able to reach 20 ∘ K when the solar irradiation is high.

Flat Unglazed Transpired Solar Collector: Performance Probability Prediction Approach Using Monte Carlo Simulation Technique

“…Most of these studies were on heat and air flow analysis of photovoltaic thermal systems [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Thermal modeling and parametric studies to understand the performance of UTCs [23][24][25][26][27][28] were never easy for early researchers because of challenges posed by the uncertain conditions of incoming airflow [29][30][31] over a perforated UTC. The performance prediction of the solar energy [32][33][34][35] when the system is in use [36][37][38][39][40][41] is a major challenge under varying conditions of airflow and other key parameters of the UTC.…”