Performance investigation and parametric optimization of an eco-friendly sustainable design solar air heater

Abstract

The impacting air jet type collector equipped with fins underneath the absorber surface has been investigated experimentally. Real outdoor conditions were preferred for a specific range of operational parameters (mentioned in Table 1). The experimental investigation covers the analysis of temperature rise parameter (TRP) and instantaneous collector thermal efficiency. The thermal enhancement and other performance characteristics as a result of combining both (impacting air jet mechanism and fins) methods have been studied in detail. It has been observed that TRP decreases and collector efficiency increases with an increase in flow rate. The influence of variable duct aspect ratio has been examined as a function of relevant geometrical parameters of the duct. In the time span of 12.00 hrs–01.00 pm maximum rise in air temperature has been reported at different fin parameters. In conjunction with jet and fin parameters, a parametric optimization model is discussed which yields the optimum values of design parameters to attain maximum efficiency. The experimental and analytical results are validated with similar works. The comparative analysis reports a mean deviation of ±12.7% in TRP and ±7.8% in collector efficiency at w/Dh= 0.23, Dj/Dh= 0.076. The optimum values will be of great help for the researchers and designers exploring this area.