Numerical simulation study on a flat-plate solar air collector

Abstract

Solar air collector is a solar energy utilization device suitable for heating; a new solar air collector with cylindrical fin in the holes arranged in heat collecting plate was designed and studied. Three different structure of the new solar air collector were simulated. Flow patterns, temperature distribution, solar energy collecting efficiency were analyzed. Based on the simulation, solar air collector with optimal structure parameter was manufactured. The simulated results indicated that heat collecting plate with staggered holes arrangement is superior to that with lined holes arrangement, and collector with segment baffle to make the air flow in zigzag flow improved heat collecting efficiency. Heat collecting efficiency of the new designed collector is about 90%. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.