Performance Analysis of Solar Air Heater by Modified Absorber Plate

Abstract

Introduction: In the realm of sustainable energy, solar air heating systems have emerged as crucial contributors, utilizing solar radiation to generate heat for diverse applications. This research focuses on augmenting system efficiency by integrating a blower and a double-pass air flow mechanism, aiming to optimize heat transfer and enhance overall performance. The innovation seeks to address challenges in conventional solar air heating, promising improved sustainability and energy utilization. Through meticulous experiments and the utilization of advanced instrumentation, the study explores system behavior in varying environmental conditions. The outcomes showcase substantial efficiency enhancements, reaching an instantaneous efficiency of 95.39%, providing essential insights for the advancement of solar air heating technology across industries.

Materials and Methods: This study introduces an innovative solar air collector system designed to optimize functionality. The system comprises alloy steel inlet and outlet ducts with carefully designed dimensions to control air velocity and enhance heat transfer efficiency. The collector box, constructed from robust stainless steel, incorporates a transparent glass insulator and a high-performance aluminum absorber plate with double-sided V-shaped pins. Precision instruments, including temperature sensors, a solar power meter, an angle finder, a digital anemometer, and an air quality meter, were strategically employed for data acquisition. The experiment, conducted in an outdoor laboratory, involved maintaining a constant airflow of 3.21 m/s - 4.10 m/s using a blower. Data collection included solar radiation, air velocities, temperatures, and humidity. The comprehensive data analysis aimed to assess heat transfer efficiency, air circulation dynamics, and system performance under varying environmental conditions.

Results: The solar air heating system demonstrated impressive performance over three days. Inlet temperatures ranged from 35.3°C to 45.7°C, with outlet temperatures varying between 44.7°C and 59.5°C. The system exhibited efficient heat transfer, reflected in a steady rise of heat absorption from 23,771 J to 47,479 J. Inlet velocity increased from 3.21 m/s to 4.07 m/s, while outlet velocity reached 2.4 m/s. The overall efficiency rose from 54.36% to an impressive 94.09%.

Conclusions: The examined solar air heating system (SAH) demonstrates a noteworthy efficiency boost of 95.39%, notably during peak hours (12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) due to a Blower and double-pass air flow mechanism. This efficiency surge leads to consistent temperature rise reductions (9.9°C to 14.9°C), positioning SAH as a promising sustainable energy solution, with implications for diverse industries. The study's key findings, including a mass flow rate of 2.642244 Kg/s and heat absorption of 47479.53933 Joules, set crucial benchmarks for future advancements in solar air heating systems.