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Thermal Performance and Cost Assessment Analysis of a Double-Pass V-Trough Solar Air Heater

Author

Listed:
  • Eduardo Venegas-Reyes

    (Subcoordinación de Agua, Energía y Proyectos Productivos, Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico)

  • Naghelli Ortega-Avila

    (SECIHTI—Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados S.C., Calle CIMAV 110, Ejido Arroyo Seco 34147, Durango, Mexico)

  • Yuridiana Rocio Galindo-Luna

    (Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos e Hidráulica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México 09340, Mexico)

  • Jonathan Ibarra-Bahena

    (Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Priv. Xochicalco s/n, Col. Azteca, Temixco 62588, Morelos, Mexico)

  • Erick Cesar López-Vidaña

    (SECIHTI—Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados S.C., Calle CIMAV 110, Ejido Arroyo Seco 34147, Durango, Mexico)

  • Ulises Dehesa-Carrasco

    (Subcoordinación de Agua, Energía y Proyectos Productivos, Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico)

Abstract

Solar air heating systems offer an effective alternative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a profitable cost. This work details the design, construction, and experimental evaluation of a novel double-pass V-trough solar air heater with semicircular receivers, which was built with low-cost materials readily available in the Mexican market. Thermal performance tests were conducted in accordance with the ANSI-ASHRAE 93-2010 standard. The results indicated a peak collector efficiency of 0.4461 and total heat losses of 8.8793 W/(m 2 °C), with an air mass flow rate of 0.0174 kg/s. The instantaneous thermal efficiency varied between 0.2603 and 0.5633 with different air flow rates and an inlet air temperature close to the ambient temperature. The outlet air temperature reached 70 °C, making it suitable for dehydrating fruits or vegetables at competitive operating costs. Additionally, a second-law analysis was carried out, and the exergy efficiency was between 0.0037 and 0.0407. Finally, a Levelized Cost of Energy analysis was performed, and the result was USD 0.079/kWh, which was 31% lower than that of a conventional electric air heater system.

Suggested Citation

  • Eduardo Venegas-Reyes & Naghelli Ortega-Avila & Yuridiana Rocio Galindo-Luna & Jonathan Ibarra-Bahena & Erick Cesar López-Vidaña & Ulises Dehesa-Carrasco, 2025. "Thermal Performance and Cost Assessment Analysis of a Double-Pass V-Trough Solar Air Heater," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:7:y:2025:i:1:p:27-:d:1614737
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