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Gradient Optimization Algorithm for Structural Optimization and Performance Analysis of the Solar Air Collector

Author

Listed:
  • Yaran Wang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Yuran Zhang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Fang Ji

    (China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Wei Fan

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Yan Jiang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Rui Zhao

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Jiaxuan Pu

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Zhihao He

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Haihe Education Area, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Shen Wei

    (The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London (UCL), 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK)

Abstract

The solar air collector (SAC) is one of the key technologies for space heating, with various designs proposed to enhance heat collection, but increasing design complexity makes determining the optimal structure more challenging. In this paper, a gradient optimization method, based on heat transfer and optical models, is established for the structural optimization of SAC and applied to the triangular solar air collector (TSAC). With maximum heat collection during the heating season as the objective function, the TSAC side material and the absorber angles are optimized. The performance improvement of the TSAC before and after optimization is analyzed, and the applicability of the optimized TSAC is compared with traditional flat-plate solar air collectors (FSACs) in different climate and solar resource zones. The results indicate that the heat collection of the TSAC increased by 19.2% and the operating time increased by 106 h after optimization. In various zones, the heat collection of TSAC is superior to that of FSAC, with an average increase of 18.1%.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaran Wang & Yuran Zhang & Fang Ji & Wei Fan & Yan Jiang & Rui Zhao & Jiaxuan Pu & Zhihao He & Shen Wei, 2025. "Gradient Optimization Algorithm for Structural Optimization and Performance Analysis of the Solar Air Collector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2695-:d:1615091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Singh, Satyender & Chaurasiya, Shailendra Kumar & Negi, Bharat Singh & Chander, Subhash & Nemś, Magdalena & Negi, Sushant, 2020. "Utilizing circular jet impingement to enhance thermal performance of solar air heater," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1327-1345.
    2. 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).
    3. Hu, Jianjun & Guo, Meng & Guo, Jinyong & Zhang, Guangqiu & Zhang, Yuwen, 2020. "Numerical and experimental investigation of solar air collector with internal swirling flow," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 2259-2271.
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