Effect of differential mass flow rate on the thermal performance of double duct packed bed solar air heaters

Abstract

The present paper investigates the effect of differential air mass flow rate on the thermal performance of parallel pass packed bed solar air heater. The range air flow rates over which the parallel pass system yields higher thermal performance as compared to counter pass system have been identified and presented. The effect of fraction of total mass flow rate in the respective ducts of the parallel pass packed bed solar air heater has shown to be dominant parameter in determining the effective thermal efficiency of the heater.