Thermal analysis of solar air collectors designed in different types with different flow rates using aluminum cans

ABSTRACT

In this study, an air solar collector (SAC) was compared in three different ways (flat plate, serial connection, and parallel connection) using aluminum Coke cans according to the conditions of the region. Experiments were conducted at an air speed of 3 m/s to 6.5 m/s. Data were compared with each other according to two different air flow rates with three different flow forms. As a result of the experiments, the highest temperature difference in the measurements made at 3 m/s air speed was 68°C in the Parallel Collector and 56°C of the serial collector at 6.5 m/s air speed was observed. According to the results, when the system was operated at 3 m/s, it was seen that parallel collector provided good results, and when it was operated at 6,5 m/s, it was seen that serial collector yielded good results. At the end of this study, it is possible to conclude that choosing the proper air flow type can be applicable in terms of energy efficiency in order to increase the efficiency of the collector.

Abbreviations: T_d: Outside temperature (^oC); T_g: Collector inlet temperature (^oC); T_ç: Collector outlet temperature (^oC); I_T: The amount of radiation incident on the collector surface (W/m²); η: Collector efficiency (%); V: Air speed (m/s); ṁ: Mass flow rate of air passing through the collector (kg/s); W: The total power consumed for the heating system (W); W_fan: Fan power (W); Ø_d: Outdoor relative humidity (%); Ø_i: Indoor relative humidity (%); Q_u: Usable energy from the collector (W); C_p: Specific heat of air at constant pressure (kJ/kg^oC); ρ: Density of air (kg/m³); A_k: Collector area (m²); A_ç: Collector outlet cross section of air (m²); MW/m²: Per square meter MegaWatt; W/m²: Per square meter Watt; W/mK: Watt/meter Kelvin; SAC: Solar Air Collector; CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics; SAH: Solar Air Heater; d: Outside; g: inlet; ç: outlet; i: Indoor; u: Usable; k: Collector.

KEYWORDS:

• Solar energy
• air heated solar collectors
• thermal efficiency
• energy
• collector design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adem Yilmaz

Adem Yılmaz is M.Sc. and the Ph.D. degree in mechanical training from Gazi University, Institute of Science and Technology Institute. Currently Works as an Assistant Professor at Batman University, Faculty of Technology. Major research interests are renewable energy, fuel cell, biogas systems, solar energy applications, air conditioning and heating-cooling systems.

Abdullah Er

Abdullah ER graduated from Batman University, Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Renewable Energy Systems. He works as a technical teacher at Batman Malabadi Vocational High School. His main research areas are renewable energy, air conditioning, heating-cooling and plumbing systems.