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A numerical study on performance optimization of a micro-heat pipe arrays-based solar air heater

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  • Zhu, Tingting
  • Zhang, Ji

Abstract

Solar air heater is a simple and convenient technology to utilize solar thermal energy. In this paper, an optimization study was carried out for a micro-heat pipe arrays-based solar air heater, aiming to derive the optimal operation conditions and geometrical parameters of the solar air heater. A 3-D CFD model was developed based on the physical heat transfer processes in the solar air heater and validated by the experimental results. The ambient temperature, air flow rate, air layer thickness, air duct aspect ratio and fins geometrical parameters (height and spacing) were selected as the parameters and their effects on the system efficiency and thermal-hydraulic performance of air flow were investigated. The results indicate that the inlet velocity of 3.3 m/s was determined to be the optimal flow velocity of the air heater, enabling a maximum thermal efficiency of 66.5%. The air layer thickness of 25 mm was determined as the optimal value, which is able to minimize the heat loss from the glass cover to the surrounding. The results also indicate the optimal aspect ratio, fin height and fin spacing among the values studied in the paper, which are 0.25, 12 mm and 6 mm, respectively.

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  • Zhu, Tingting & Zhang, Ji, 2021. "A numerical study on performance optimization of a micro-heat pipe arrays-based solar air heater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:215:y:2021:i:pa:s036054422032154x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.119047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Türk Togrul, İnci & Pehlιvan, Dursun & Akosman, Cevdet, 2004. "Development and testing of a solar air-heater with conical concentrator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 263-275.
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    3. Tanda, Giovanni, 2011. "Performance of solar air heater ducts with different types of ribs on the absorber plate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 6651-6660.
    4. Karim, Md Azharul & Hawlader, M.N.A, 2006. "Performance investigation of flat plate, v-corrugated and finned air collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 452-470.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pardeshi, Poonam S. & Boulic, Mikael & van Heerden, Andries (Hennie) & Phipps, Robyn & Cunningham, Chris W., 2024. "Review of the thermal efficiency of a tube-type solar air heaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Kumar, Amit & Singh, Ajeet Pratap & Akshayveer, & Singh, O.P., 2022. "Performance characteristics of a new curved double-pass counter flow solar air heater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    3. Kumar, Vikash & Murmu, Ramesh, 2021. "Experimental investigation for thermal performance of inclined spherical ball roughened solar air duct," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1365-1392.
    4. Kareem, M.W. & Habib, Khairul & Pasha, Amjad A. & Irshad, Kashif & Afolabi, L.O. & Saha, Bidyut Baran, 2022. "Experimental study of multi-pass solar air thermal collector system assisted with sensible energy-storing matrix," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).

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