Energy and exergy analysis of a flat plate collector using collector test equations

Abstract

This paper presents the energetic and exergetic analysis of a widely used flat plate collector based on the collector testing equations. The evaluation of the performances of the collector is done under the climatic conditions corresponding to a typical meteorological year in Constanta, Romania. Using a dimensionless-geometric optimization criterion, the climatic conditions for which the energy efficiency and exergetic efficiency have the maximum values are determined. The optimal weather conditions for the collector's operation are: the solar irradiation of 916 W/m2 and the air temperature of 15.4 °C; under these conditions, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the collector are 57% and 4.8%, respectively.