Comparison of thermal performance between two solar air collectors for an indirect solar dryer

Abstract

The article presents a comparison of the thermal performances between two solar air collectors for an indirect solar dryer. These two collectors were designed and built in the Solar Energy and Environment Laboratory of Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco (latitude 34° N and longitude 6°49' W). The absorber of the first collector consists of an alveolar plate made of polyethylene, with the alveolus having a section of 1 cm2. The absorber of the second collector consists of two stainless aluminium plates, corrugated and superimposed in opposition to form parallel cylinders, with a diameter of 9 cm. The results show that the corrugated absorber collector offers better thermal performance than a polyethylene plate collector. The average efficiency was found to be 77% under forced convection.