Solar Collector Testing in the European Community

The work of the CEC Collector Testing Group is discussed, and it is concluded that the participating laboratories, which have been working together since 1976, are contributing significantly to the development of solar collectors in Europe.

Test methods for flat plate liquid heating collectors are presented, together with the results from five Round Robin test programmes. Causes of scatter in test results are analysed and pyranometer calibration procedures are shown to have improved as a result of collaborative work between the CEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Work on collector durability and reliability is gathering momentum, and will soon lead to the publication of collector design guidelines. Recommendations for methods of measuring the optical properties of collector materials are also in draft

Future work will see a change of emphasis, away from flat plate liquid heating collector testing and towards the development of test methods for air heating collectors and for domestic hot water heating systems.     

Heat Transfer Analysis of Solar Air Heating System for Different Tilt Angles

Solar Air Heater is a simple, cheap and most widely used for various applications such as textile industries, agricultural, desalination and space heating. Generally collectors are tilted so as to absorb maximum radiation, so it is necessary to calculate the optimum tilt angle to maximize the solar radiation falling on the collector area to gain maximum useful energy. The maximum solar radiation can be collected by using a tracking mechanism. Tracking systems are expensive and complicated in construction. The working operation of solar integrated tracking system is difficult. This paper presents the mechanism of evaluating the overall heat transfer coefficient of the solar air-heater at variable intensities and inlet velocities. The experimental setup is integrated with blower at inlet to the solar air heater in order to pump air at different velocities. The work focus on comparative study of solar air heating system for different tilt angles ranging from 250 to 600 and determines the overall heat transfer coefficient so as to find the optimum tilt angle of a solar flat plate collector.     

拉萨太阳能集热器竖排安装最佳倾角分析

太阳能集热器的集热量与集热器的安装倾角有关。在竖排集热器朝正南向放置时,其集热量与集热器安装倾角之间存在一定的函数关系。结合拉萨地区典型年气象资料,通过对不同安装倾角真空管太阳能集热器在整个采暖季的集热量动态计算分析和寻优,结果表明：真空管型太阳能集热器在该地区的最佳倾角为46°,考虑到拉萨整个地区的纬度和气象条件不同,建议最佳安装倾角范围为40°～50°。     

Solar operated absorption air-conditioner for a Kufra house

The use of solar energy for domestic water heating and space heating has proved to be viable. Space cooling is another promising avenue for utilization of solar energy. Solar operated absorption air-conditioning systems, in different situations, have been found to be feasible. Such systems can make use of the expensive collectors which are, in any case, installed for water and space heating.

In this paper the cooling of a prototype house, in Kufra, is reported. Starting with measured radiation and ambient data, calculations are performed on an hourly basis to determine the cooling load, radiation in the collector plane, heat delivered by the collectors and the heat stored in or discharged from the storage tank. Three different types of collectors with varying efficiencies are considered. These collectors are of the evacuated tube, selective coated and black painted types. The study confirms that the water-lithium bromide absorption system can provide summer air conditioning in arid zones of Jamahiriya where there are diffuclties with the supply of electricity and fossil fuels.     

太阳能-土壤源热泵联合供暖系统优化研究

针对严寒地区的气候条件,选取哈尔滨地区某居民住宅小区作为研究对象,利用TRNSYS软件对太阳能-土壤源热泵联合供暖系统(SGCHP)进行计算分析。结果表明:太阳能-土壤源热泵联合供暖系统中太阳能集热器对热泵机组的进水温度和COP以及节电量等方面有改善作用;对太阳能-土壤源热泵联合供暖系统中太阳能集热器面积与地埋管管长的最佳配比的优化结果表明,1 m~2太阳能集热器可保证17～27 m长的地埋管取热平衡。并继续模拟了沈阳地区,并以哈尔滨地区为基准,给出严寒地区该参数的推荐值。     

Therminol VP-1导热油平板太阳能集热器的热工性能测试实验

针对市场上的平板太阳能集热器结构的优缺点,研制了新型的导热油平板太阳能集热器,并测试其性能.实测结果为,热效率能达到0.45,比普通平板集热器高.表明该导热油平板太阳能集热器性能优越,有很好的应用前景.     

基于微通道的太阳能集热器及其性能模拟

针对传统的平板型太阳能集热器集热效率较低的问题,本文设计了一款微通道集热器,采用数值模拟方法研究了微通道集热器的工作状况,并分析了传统平板型集热器的管中心距在稳态传热条件下对集热器的效率影响。仿真结果表明:相同条件下,平板型集热器的管间距越小,集热效率越高;微通道集热器的平均集热效率比最佳管间距的平板型集热器高9.3%,比常用的两种平板型集热器分别高20.6%、30.6%。该结果有利于优化平板型集热器的设计参数,为微通道集热器的实际应用提供了依据。     

Collector and storage efficiencies in solar heating systems

A general definition of the effective efficiency of solar collector operating in a solar energy system is presented which gives a fair method of comparison of different collectors operating in that particular application. Based on comparison between the area required for the actual collector and that of a perfect collector-both giving the same fraction solar—the definition permits the definition of the effective average value of the collector input parameter, P = (T_fi − T_a)/S. The concept of the perfect collector also leads to a fair definition for the efficiency of the storage component in a solar heating system. These parameters are evaluated for the special case of residential space heating and service hot water systems of the standardized f-chart type operating in a number of Canadian cities. Simple methods for collector comparisons result from the study and indications are that a simple solar system design method will follow.     

Solar water heating in Lebanon: Current status and future prospects

The use of solar thermal collectors is an economic alternative for water heating in Lebanon. More than 100,000 m² of collector area has been installed while the market can accommodate more than 1.5 million m². The domestic sector, which is a main energy-consuming sector, stands to benefit the most from the implementation of such systems. Despite the lack of encouraging legislation, the solar thermal market has been continuously growing over the past decade. Both local manufacturers and importers have been active in the field. In addition, advanced forced circulation and collective systems are being used in large establishments, individual house and apartment buildings. Internationally funded demonstration projects using collective systems have been implemented in recent years with promising results. Simplified initial estimates indicate a payback period of 4–5 years while advanced mathematical models (RETScreen) indicate that the most advanced evacuated tube technology has a payback period of less than 9 years at current market prices. With decreasing cost per square meter of installed collectors, payback periods are expected to rapidly decrease. Regulatory support and tax breaks, if implemented, will have a positive effect on the market. The current increases in diesel prices are increasing demand on solar thermal water heaters.     

Performance of Cylindrical Parabolic Collector with Automated Tracking System

Parabolic solar collector collects the radiant energy emitted from the sun and focuses it at a point. Parabolic trough collectors are the low cost implementation of concentrated solar power technology that focuses incident sun light on to a tube filled with a heat transfer fluid. However, the basic problem with the cylindrical parabolic collector without tracking was the solar collector does not move with the orientation of sun. Development of automatic tracking system for cylindrical parabolic collectors will increase solar collection as well as efficiency of devices. The main aim of this paper is to design, fabricate and analyze the performance of parabolic collector with automated tracking system. The automated tracking mechanism is used to receive the maximum possible energy of solar radiation as it tracks the path of sun. The performance of the parabolic trough collector is experimentally investigated with the water circulated as heat transfer fluid. The collector efficiency will be noted.     

改进型微热管平板太阳能空气集热器性能分析

近年来,以空气作为换热介质的太阳能集热器越来越受到重视。本文以微热管阵列为核心传热元件,设计并搭建了改进型微热管平板太阳能空气集热器性能测试系统。通过实验研究了不同空气流量和不同进口温度对集热器集热性能的影响,获得相应参量对集热器的出口空气温度、集热效率和微热管阵列蒸发段温度的影响特性,分析对比了改进前后集热器的集热性能,得到了集热器效率的归一化曲线。实验结果表明,改进型微热管平板太阳能空气集热器在夏季240 m³/h空气流量时集热性能最佳,改进后的集热器相比原集热器在夏季的平均集热效率最高同比提升13.8%;在240 m³/h风量下的平均集热效率最高达到了74%,对应集热器的压降为9.2 Pa。     

Performance Analysis of Flat-Plate Solar Collector Having Silver Nanofluid as a Working Fluid

A study on water solar collector performance having silver nanofluid as working fluid was carried out. In this study, 20-nm silver particles mixed with water at the concentrations of 1,000 and 10,000 ppm were undertaken in 3 small identical closed-loop flat-plate solar collectors, each with an area of 0.15 m × 1.0 m. The mass flux of the working fluid varied between 0.8 and 1.2 L/min-m² and the inlet temperatures were controlled in the range of 35–65°C. The tests were performed outdoor under a steady-state condition. The experimental results showed that at the same Reynolds number, the convective heat transfer coefficient of the nanofluid inside the solar absorber tube at 1,000 ppm was slightly higher than that of water, and at 10,000 ppm, the heat transfer coefficient was about 2 times that of water. This meant that the overall heat loss coefficient of the solar collector with nanofluid could be reduced and more solar heat gain could be obtained, especially with a high inlet temperature of the working fluid. In our experiments, for 10,000 ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles, the optical characteristic and the thermal loss characteristic of the solar collector, under steady-state condition with a mass flux of 1.2 kg/min-m², were 0.691 and 4.869 W/m²-K, compared with 0.684 and 7.178 W/m²-K, respectively for 1,000 ppm concentration and 0.702 and 8.318 W/m²-K for water. When the flow rate was different from the standard value, the solar thermal characteristics were also improved with the nanofluid.     

Thermal and economical analysis of a central solar heating system with underground seasonal storage in Turkey

Thermal performance and economic feasibility of two types of central solar heating system with seasonal storage under four climatically different Turkey locations are investigated. The effects of storage volume and collector area on the thermal performance and cost are studied for three load sizes. The simulation model of the system consisting of flat plate solar collectors, a heat pump, under ground storage tank and heating load based on a finite element analysis and finite element code ANSYS™ is chosen as a convenient tool. In this study, the lowest solar fraction value for Trabzon (41°N) and the highest solar fraction value for Adana (37°N) are obtained. Based on the economic analysis, the payback period of system is found to be about 25–35 years for Turkey.     

Solar collectors with colored absorbers

The integration of solar collectors in buildings should be compatible with the architectural design, and solar collectors with colored absorbers would be aesthetically preferable. In our laboratory we constructed and tested flat plate solar collectors with colored absorbers for water heating applications. The study includes collectors in their typical form with the protective glazing, and also collectors without glazing. Unglazed solar collectors are not widely used, although they are cost effective solar devices, suitable for low temperature thermal applications. We tested outdoors the constructed models, glazed and unglazed, with black, blue and red brown absorbers. In order to overcome the high thermal losses of the unglazed collectors and the low optical efficiency of the colored absorbers, we used flat booster reflectors. The additional solar radiation input from the reflectors increases the thermal energy output of the collectors, improving their performance. Theoretical steady state efficiency curves are also given for collectors with or without glazing. The presented experimental and theoretical results determine the range of the effective operation of the proposed solar collector types, which can be used in a variety of applications, instead of glazed or unglazed solar collectors with a black absorber.     

A Recuperative Solar Collector

This investigation is a theoretical and experimental study of a recuperative type solar water heater where water is allowed to pass through the two upper transparent covers in channel flow before flowing through the tubes of the collector. The water in the channel will be first heated by solar insolation absorbed in the fluid layer and by the upper heat losses from the absorber plate before being heated in the main collector tubes. The performance of this collector was analytically studied under various environmental and operating conditions, in addition, an experimental apparatus was built, commissioned and tested. The analytical model, confirmed by experimental results, indicated that the proposed design was superior to the conventional solar water heater within a certain range of mass flow rates and environmental conditions.     

Economic considerations and cost comparisons between the heat pumps and solar collectors for the application of plume control from wet cooling towers of commercial buildings

This communication presents a case study based on the economic considerations and comparisons between the heat pump and solar collector heating systems for the application and utility to control the visible plume from wet cooling towers of a huge commercial building in Hong Kong. A detail economic study for both cases, i.e. for heat pumps as well as for solar collectors is done and compared using different (capital and operational) costs, taking other constraints into account. The capital cost is the actual cost of the device, for example, for a heat pump it is the cost of the heat pump machine. For a solar collector it is the cost of all the components like the collector, pipes, pump, heat exchanger, etc. On the other hand, the operational cost is the cost that keeps the system working in good condition. For a heat pump, the cost of the input power to the compressor is the running cost, while the necessary maintenance and replacement of parts comes under other cost. Similarly, for a solar collector, the cost of the power consumed by the pump/compressor to circulate the working fluid is the running cost which is very less as compared to the former. It is found that all the costs are much lesser for a solar collector system while it is reverse in the case of an air-cooled geothermal heat pump system. Other comparisons between the electric and geothermal heat pump systems are also given among different possible options.     

Experimental study of the performance of a solar thermal-photovoltaic integrated system

In this work a self-contained solar heating forced water cooling unit was selected and assembled. It consists of three flat-plate solar collectors, each of area 1.2 m², a.d.c. pump, a photovoltaic module and a storage tank. The electrical power produced by the photovoltaic module operates the d.c. pump, which circulates the cooling water through the solar collectors to transfer the heat to the storage tank. The electrical voltage and current, the water rate of flow, and water temperature at inlet and outlet of the collector were all measured. Solar irradiation, wind speed and ambient temperature were also measured. Daily distribution of electrical current, water mass rate of flow, module efficiency and collector efficiency were plotted in figures. Module efficiency, pump efficiency and collector efficiency were taken as dependent variables, while the solar irradiation, ambient temperature and time were the independent variables. Optimum values were graphically indicated and related to each other in a clear discussion. An economic study and comparison of three different systems were carried out: a common thermosyphon system; an a.c. pump circulating system; and this system, which is a d.c. pump circulating system. Results revealed that collector efficiency reached a daily average value of 47% due to d.c. pump installation powered by photovoltaic electric output.     

太阳能制冷与供暖系统的设计与比较

根据上海的气候条件，以上海地区某写字楼为对象，提出4种太阳能驱动的溴化锂吸收式与电动蒸汽压缩式热泵联合制冷与供暖系统。这4种系统分别由热管式真空管集热器或抛物面槽形聚光集热器，单效或双效溴化锂吸收式制冷机，以及风冷热泵或水源热泵构成。分析比较这4种系统的节能型和经济性的结果表明，采用抛物面槽形聚光集热器＋双效溴化锂吸收式制冷机＋风冷热泵组成的系统，同时具备较好的节能性与经济性，一次能源利用率可降低约50％。     

Solar heat pump systems for domestic hot water

Vapour compression heat pumps can upgrade ambient heat sources to match the desired heating load temperature. They can offer considerable increase in operational energy efficiency compared to current water heating systems. Solar heat pumps collect energy not only from solar radiation but also from the ambient air. They can operate even at night or in totally overcast conditions. Since the evaporator/collector operates at temperatures lower than ambient air temperature it does not need glazing or a selective coating to prevent losses. Currently, however, they are not used much at all in domestic or commercial water heating systems. In this paper comparison is made of a conventional solar hot water system, a conventional air source heat pump hot water system and a solar heat pump water heating system based on various capital city locations in Australia. A summary is given of specific electricity consumption, initial and operating costs, and greenhouse gas generation of the three systems dealt with in this paper. The ultimate choice of unit for a particular location will depend heavily on the solar radiation, climate and the local price paid for electricity to drive or boost the unit chosen.