Experimental investigation of various type absorber plates for solar air heaters

Abstract

In this study, four different types’ absorber plates were designed and compared of their energetic performances. These absorber plates were formed as a flat plate (Type I), V-shaped (Type II), wedge-shaped (Type III) and wavy-shaped (Type IV). Each type absorber plate was manufactured in both aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) materials. Energy efficiencies of the heaters were investigated with airflow velocities of 2, 3 and 4 m s-1 experimentally and compared with each other. The results showed that efficiency of the heater with the copper absorber plate better than aluminum plate however, the resulting air temperature from heater with aluminum absorber plate higher than cooper plate. The experimental results have shown that Type IV and Type II achieved the highest energy efficiency, respectively.