IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v49y2015icp192-210.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance enhancement of solar collectors—A review

Author

Listed:
  • Suman, Siddharth
  • Khan, Mohd. Kaleem
  • Pathak, Manabendra

Abstract

Given rapid depletion of conventional energy sources and environmental degradation caused by their over exploitation, the renewable energy sources are believed to be the future. Technologies utilizing renewable energy sources differ significantly from one another, not only with regard to technical and economic aspects but also in relation to their reliability, maturity, and operational experience in utility scale conditions. Technologies used to harness solar energy have emerged as the most promising and mature since solar energy is abundant, freely available, and it has commercial potential too. This paper presents a review of advancements made in the field of solar thermal technology with a focus on techniques employed for its performance enhancement. It also covers the description of different types of solar collectors to facilitate the systematic understanding of solar thermal technology and the novel modifications realized in each category of solar collectors have been highlighted to promote the use of solar energy in routine activities. Performance enhancement techniques such as geometrical modifications on the absorber plate, use of solar selective coatings and nanofluids have been given a special attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Suman, Siddharth & Khan, Mohd. Kaleem & Pathak, Manabendra, 2015. "Performance enhancement of solar collectors—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 192-210.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:49:y:2015:i:c:p:192-210
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.087
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032115003573
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.087?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kumar, Rakesh & Rosen, Marc A., 2011. "A critical review of photovoltaic–thermal solar collectors for air heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3603-3614.
    2. Ibrahim, Adnan & Othman, Mohd Yusof & Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz & Mat, Sohif & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman, 2011. "Recent advances in flat plate photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 352-365, January.
    3. Ahmed, H.E. & Mohammed, H.A. & Yusoff, M.Z., 2012. "An overview on heat transfer augmentation using vortex generators and nanofluids: Approaches and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5951-5993.
    4. Haddad, Zoubida & Oztop, Hakan F. & Abu-Nada, Eiyad & Mataoui, Amina, 2012. "A review on natural convective heat transfer of nanofluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 5363-5378.
    5. Sureshkumar, R. & Mohideen, S. Tharves & Nethaji, N., 2013. "Heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids in heat pipes: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 397-410.
    6. Lobón, David H. & Valenzuela, Loreto, 2013. "Impact of pressure losses in small-sized parabolic-trough collectors for direct steam generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 502-512.
    7. Kumar, Sharad & Saini, R.P., 2009. "CFD based performance analysis of a solar air heater duct provided with artificial roughness," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 1285-1291.
    8. Ho, Clifford K. & Iverson, Brian D., 2014. "Review of high-temperature central receiver designs for concentrating solar power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 835-846.
    9. Trisaksri, Visinee & Wongwises, Somchai, 2007. "Critical review of heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 512-523, April.
    10. Sardarabadi, Mohammad & Passandideh-Fard, Mohammad & Zeinali Heris, Saeed, 2014. "Experimental investigation of the effects of silica/water nanofluid on PV/T (photovoltaic thermal units)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 264-272.
    11. Tang, Runsheng & Gao, Wenfeng & Yu, Yamei & Chen, Hua, 2009. "Optimal tilt-angles of all-glass evacuated tube solar collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(9), pages 1387-1395.
    12. Singh, Sukhmeet & Chander, Subhash & Saini, J.S., 2011. "Heat transfer and friction factor correlations of solar air heater ducts artificially roughened with discrete V-down ribs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 5053-5064.
    13. Ren, Lanxu & Wei, Xiudong & Lu, Zhenwu & Yu, Weixing & Xu, Wenbin & Shen, Zhenfeng, 2014. "A review of available methods for the alignment of mirror facets of solar concentrator in solar thermal power system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 76-83.
    14. Guiqiang, Li & Gang, Pei & Yuehong, Su & Yunyun, Wang & Jie, Ji, 2014. "Design and investigation of a novel lens-walled compound parabolic concentrator with air gap," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 21-27.
    15. Behar, Omar & Khellaf, Abdallah & Mohammedi, Kamal, 2013. "A review of studies on central receiver solar thermal power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 12-39.
    16. Nkurikiyimfura, Innocent & Wang, Yanmin & Pan, Zhidong, 2013. "Heat transfer enhancement by magnetic nanofluids—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 548-561.
    17. Tyagi, V.V. & Panwar, N.L. & Rahim, N.A. & Kothari, Richa, 2012. "Review on solar air heating system with and without thermal energy storage system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 2289-2303.
    18. Shukla, Ruchi & Sumathy, K. & Erickson, Phillip & Gong, Jiawei, 2013. "Recent advances in the solar water heating systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 173-190.
    19. Chow, T.T., 2010. "A review on photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 365-379, February.
    20. Kaushal, Devinder Kumar, 1997. "An overview of solar thermal devices based solar water heating systems & the necessity of using solar selective coating," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 355-361.
    21. Chandrasekar, M. & Suresh, S. & Senthilkumar, T., 2012. "Mechanisms proposed through experimental investigations on thermophysical properties and forced convective heat transfer characteristics of various nanofluids – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 3917-3938.
    22. Shukla, Anant & Buddhi, D. & Sawhney, R.L., 2009. "Solar water heaters with phase change material thermal energy storage medium: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 2119-2125, October.
    23. Hossain, M.S. & Saidur, R. & Fayaz, H. & Rahim, N.A. & Islam, M.R. & Ahamed, J.U. & Rahman, M.M., 2011. "Review on solar water heater collector and thermal energy performance of circulating pipe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3801-3812.
    24. Saidur, R. & Leong, K.Y. & Mohammad, H.A., 2011. "A review on applications and challenges of nanofluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1646-1668, April.
    25. Fernández-García, A. & Zarza, E. & Valenzuela, L. & Pérez, M., 2010. "Parabolic-trough solar collectors and their applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(7), pages 1695-1721, September.
    26. Daungthongsuk, Weerapun & Wongwises, Somchai, 2007. "A critical review of convective heat transfer of nanofluids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(5), pages 797-817, June.
    27. Lanjewar, Atul & Bhagoria, J.L. & Sarviya, R.M., 2011. "Heat transfer and friction in solar air heater duct with W-shaped rib roughness on absorber plate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4531-4541.
    28. Yousefi, Tooraj & Veysi, Farzad & Shojaeizadeh, Ehsan & Zinadini, Sirus, 2012. "An experimental investigation on the effect of Al2O3–H2O nanofluid on the efficiency of flat-plate solar collectors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 293-298.
    29. Jaisankar, S. & Radhakrishnan, T.K. & Sheeba, K.N., 2009. "Studies on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of thermosyphon solar water heating system with helical twisted tapes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(9), pages 1054-1064.
    30. Karwa, Rajendra & Chauhan, Kalpana, 2010. "Performance evaluation of solar air heaters having v-down discrete rib roughness on the absorber plate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 398-409.
    31. Jaisankar, S. & Ananth, J. & Thulasi, S. & Jayasuthakar, S.T. & Sheeba, K.N., 2011. "A comprehensive review on solar water heaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3045-3050, August.
    32. Kumar, Anil & Saini, R.P. & Saini, J.S., 2013. "Development of correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor for solar air heater with roughened duct having multi v-shaped with gap rib as artificial roughness," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 151-163.
    33. Abbas, Arif, 2000. "Solchrome solar selective coatings—an effective way for solar water heaters globally," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 145-154.
    34. Bhagoria, J.L & Saini, J.S & Solanki, S.C, 2002. "Heat transfer coefficient and friction factor correlations for rectangular solar air heater duct having transverse wedge shaped rib roughness on the absorber plate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 341-369.
    35. Mousazadeh, Hossein & Keyhani, Alireza & Javadi, Arzhang & Mobli, Hossein & Abrinia, Karen & Sharifi, Ahmad, 2009. "A review of principle and sun-tracking methods for maximizing solar systems output," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 1800-1818, October.
    36. Yeh, Ho-ming & Lin, Tong-Tshien, 1995. "The effect of collector aspect ratio on the collector efficiency of flat-plate solar air heaters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 20(10), pages 1041-1047.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Muhammad, Mahmud Jamil & Muhammad, Isa Adamu & Sidik, Nor Azwadi Che & Yazid, Muhammad Noor Afiq Witri Muhammad & Mamat, Rizalman & Najafi, G., 2016. "The use of nanofluids for enhancing the thermal performance of stationary solar collectors: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 226-236.
    2. Sarkar, Jahar & Ghosh, Pradyumna & Adil, Arjumand, 2015. "A review on hybrid nanofluids: Recent research, development and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 164-177.
    3. Sharaf, Omar Z. & Orhan, Mehmet F., 2015. "Concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) solar collector systems: Part I – Fundamentals, design considerations and current technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1500-1565.
    4. Hussien, Ahmed A. & Abdullah, Mohd Z. & Al-Nimr, Moh’d A., 2016. "Single-phase heat transfer enhancement in micro/minichannels using nanofluids: Theory and applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 733-755.
    5. Elsheikh, A.H. & Sharshir, S.W. & Mostafa, Mohamed E. & Essa, F.A. & Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Kamal, 2018. "Applications of nanofluids in solar energy: A review of recent advances," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3483-3502.
    6. Hussein, Ahmed Kadhim, 2016. "Applications of nanotechnology to improve the performance of solar collectors – Recent advances and overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 767-792.
    7. Saxena, Abhishek & Varun, & El-Sebaii, A.A., 2015. "A thermodynamic review of solar air heaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 863-890.
    8. Singh Yadav, Anil & Kumar Thapak, Manish, 2014. "Artificially roughened solar air heater: Experimental investigations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 370-411.
    9. Vanaki, Sh.M. & Ganesan, P. & Mohammed, H.A., 2016. "Numerical study of convective heat transfer of nanofluids: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1212-1239.
    10. Gürdal, Mehmet & Arslan, Kamil & Gedik, Engin & Minea, Alina Adriana, 2022. "Effects of using nanofluid, applying a magnetic field, and placing turbulators in channels on the convective heat transfer: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    11. Rasheed, A.K. & Khalid, M. & Rashmi, W. & Gupta, T.C.S.M. & Chan, A., 2016. "Graphene based nanofluids and nanolubricants – Review of recent developments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 346-362.
    12. Gautam, Abhishek & Chamoli, Sunil & Kumar, Alok & Singh, Satyendra, 2017. "A review on technical improvements, economic feasibility and world scenario of solar water heating system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 541-562.
    13. Kumar, Anil & Kim, Man-Hoe, 2016. "Thermohydraulic performance of rectangular ducts with different multiple V-rib roughness shapes: A comprehensive review and comparative study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 635-652.
    14. Khan, Jibran & Arsalan, Mudassar H., 2016. "Solar power technologies for sustainable electricity generation – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 414-425.
    15. Sharma, Sanjay K. & Kalamkar, Vilas R., 2015. "Thermo-hydraulic performance analysis of solar air heaters having artificial roughness–A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 413-435.
    16. Nidhul, Kottayat & Kumar, Sachin & Yadav, Ajay Kumar & Anish, S., 2020. "Enhanced thermo-hydraulic performance in a V-ribbed triangular duct solar air heater: CFD and exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    17. Zhang, Xingxing & Shen, Jingchun & Lu, Yan & He, Wei & Xu, Peng & Zhao, Xudong & Qiu, Zhongzhu & Zhu, Zishang & Zhou, Jinzhi & Dong, Xiaoqiang, 2015. "Active Solar Thermal Facades (ASTFs): From concept, application to research questions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 32-63.
    18. Solangi, K.H. & Kazi, S.N. & Luhur, M.R. & Badarudin, A. & Amiri, A. & Sadri, Rad & Zubir, M.N.M. & Gharehkhani, Samira & Teng, K.H., 2015. "A comprehensive review of thermo-physical properties and convective heat transfer to nanofluids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 1065-1086.
    19. Gawande, Vipin B. & Dhoble, A.S. & Zodpe, D.B., 2014. "Effect of roughness geometries on heat transfer enhancement in solar thermal systems – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 347-378.
    20. Singh, Sukhmeet & Singh, Bikramjit & Hans, V.S. & Gill, R.S., 2015. "CFD (computational fluid dynamics) investigation on Nusselt number and friction factor of solar air heater duct roughened with non-uniform cross-section transverse rib," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 509-517.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:49:y:2015:i:c:p:192-210. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.