A performance evaluation of a solar air heater using different shaped ribs mounted on the absorber plate-a review

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of various shapes of ribs used in Solar Air Heaters (SAHs) was discussed. The review is concentrated on the geometry of the rib and its location on the SAH panel. Both numerical and experimental works were considered for discussion with dry air and Nano fluids as a working fluid. The influence of various shapes, such as an L shape, W shape, V shape, Multiple V shape, V shape with a gap, detachable and attachable ribs etc., was analyzed. The common fact observed from this analysis is that the implementation of artificial roughness in the absorber plate results in a considerable increase in the rate of heat transfer. Further, it is observed that 'Multiple V-shaped with open between the ribs' results in the maximum thermal enhancement when compared to the other shapes.