Studies on semi-cylindrical solar tunnel dryers: year round collector performance

In this paper, the results of year round thermal performance of collector of semi-cylindrical solar tunnel dryers (STD) has been presented. The calculations have been made under natural circulation and forced circulation mode. The day-long average of solar irradiance, ambient temperature, rise in the inlet air temperature, natural circulation volume flow rates, and collector efficiency have been calculated for each month of the year. The effect of collector length, cover radius, collector inclination with horizontal have been made for rise in inlet air temperature, volume flow rate and for the efficiency. All calculations have been made for Delhi climate. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

强制循环式太阳热水系统动态特性分析

基于集热器，水箱及换热器等部件热,地晴天无负荷条件下运行的强制循环式太阳能热水系统进行数值模拟，分析了贮热水箱内温度分层，水量，高径比和水流率等对瞬时集热效率和系统日效率的影响。特别探讨了带热交换器的复合回路系统在两种介质热容流率比值改变时，系统热性能变化规律。对设计和控制运行强制循环式太阳热水系统提出了一些建议。     

Refrigerant-charged integrated solar water heater

The performance of two R-11-charged integrated solar water heater collectors was investigated experimentally for forced and natural circulation water flows. The heat transfer from the refrigerant loop to the hot water storage tank took place through a condenser of novel design integrated within the collector frame. The effect of the condenser inclination on the system efficiency was remarkable for natural circulation water flow but had no significant effect for forced circulation flow. The difference in thermal response between the refrigerant and water loops caused buildup of stored energy in the condenser. This energy affected the buoyancy forces and generated flow pulsation that caused a harmonic-like variation of the system efficiency. This effect vanished with forced water circulation flow. The system efficiency varied between 20 and 50% depending on the solar insolation.     

Study of a solar water heater using stationary V-trough collector

There are various types of solar water heater system available in the commercial market to fulfill different customers’ demand, such as flat plate collector, concentrating collector, evacuated tube collector and integrated collector storage. A cost effective cum easy fabricated V-trough solar water heater system using forced circulation system is proposed. Integrating the solar absorber with the easily fabricated V-trough reflector can improve the performance of solar water heater system. In this paper, optical analysis, experimental study and cost analysis of the stationary V-trough solar water heater system are presented in details. The experimental result has shown very promising results in both optical efficiency of V-trough reflector and the overall thermal performance of the solar water heater.     

集热方式对全玻璃真空管太阳能热水器性能的影响

为对比分析自然循环竖排管、强制循环竖排管和强制循环横排管3种集热方式对全玻璃真空管太阳热水器有效集热量、平均有效集热效率和瞬时有效集热量等的影响,以3组30支Φ58×1800 mm的全玻璃真空管太阳热水器为研究对象,在兰州地区搭建试验平台,在太阳辐射为19.0～25.7 MJ/m²,风速为0.5～1.3 m/s,平均环境温度为8.9～12.0℃的情况下进行连续5 d的试验。试验结果表明:自然循环竖排管热水器有效集热量和平均有效集热效率比强制循环竖排管热水器分别高6.6～8.3 MJ、10.8%～14.8%;强制循环竖排管热水器有效集热量和平均有效集热效率比强制循环横排管热水器分别高0.9～3.4 MJ、1.6%～5.0%。从有效集热面积、真空管内部换热强度、循环管道热损失共3个方面解释不同集热方式产生差异的原因。     

Studies on semi-cylindrical solar tunnel dryers: thermal performance of collector

In this paper, the modelling and thermal performance results of the collector of a semi-cylindrical solar tunnel dryer (STD) have been presented. The performance has been estimated under natural circulation as well as under forced circulation mode. The volume flow rate and the rise in the inlet air temperature have been optimized for natural circulation mode with respect to the design parameters, viz., length and radius of the collector. The performance of the collector has also been calculated for different tilt of the STD. All calculations have been made for Delhi climate (28.58 N Latitude). The development of the natural circulation type STD is very significant because it has certain advantages over the existing forced circulation type STD.     

Influence of helix twisted tape on heat transfer and friction factor in forced circulation V-trough solar water heater

The effect of helix twisted tape with several twist ratios (Y?=?3, 4, 5 and 6) in a V-trough solar water heater for enhancing heat transfer, thermal performance and the friction factor has been examined experimentally in forced circulation with the Reynolds number ranging from 3000 to 23,000. The experimental results of plain V-trough solar collector (PVT) fitted with the standard equations and the variation in the Nusselt number are ±7.23% and the variation in friction factor is about ±5.91%. The PVT has been compared with plain flat plate (PFP) collector. The obtained result shows that the average Nusselt number of PVT performs better than PFP by 8.4%. This is owing to the additional reflectors, reflection of the solar incident rays to the receiver plate, which tend to rise in the temperature gradient of water inlet and outlet of the system. The thermal performance has been increased further by inserting the helix twisted tape with several twist ratios and the results are also presented. The minimum twist ratio 3 provides a higher heat transfer rate and friction factor owing to the increase in the hydraulic length and swirl flow. The experimental Nusselt number and friction factor are correlated and the deficiency falls ±6.44% and ±11.91%, respectively.     

Performance study of forced circulation solar water heaters using packed-bed collectors

A performance study of forced circulation solar water heaters using packed-bed solar collectors is presented. Iron chips, gravel and stones have been used as packing materials. Thermal energy stored in the tank, system overall efficiency and pay-back capital for these solar water heaters are compared with those for solar water heaters using a plane collector. It is observed that the performance of the solar water heater is improved appreciably by packing its collector with packing material. A solar water heater using an iron chip, packed-bed collector shows the best performance.     

An experimental investigation into the performance of a domestic forced circulation solar water heater under varying operating conditions

An experimental investigation is carried out on a forced circulation solar water heater to assess its performance under various operating conditions. The system consisted of two identical collectors of total absorber area of 3.45 m² and a storage tank of 200 litre capacity. Experiments were carried out during clear days with and without system loading for two water mass flow rates through the collector; namely 0.1305 kg/s and 0.06525 kg/s. The system was operated without thermostat control and with thermostat control at maximum and minimum settings. The collector efficiency improved with system loading. The improvement was better with increased hot water withdrawal from the system.     

A “once-through” solar water heating system

In China, solar water heater is being popularized and most existing solar water heaters are the natural circulation system. Due to some shortcomings of the natural circulation system, a “once-through” system is proposed. In a once-through system, the storage tank can be placed below the collector, therefore, the load on the roof will be cut down significantly. This system also has the advantages of no mixing of hot and cold water, no reverse flow and being able to provide hot water earlier, etc. Both theoretical and experimental investigations have been conducted to compare the collector efficiences between the once-through and natural circulation systems and they coincide with each other very well. The once-through system performs worse in the morning but better in the afternoon than the natural circulation system and the difference of daily collector efficiency between these two systems is negligible.     

An experimental study of façade-integrated photovoltaic/water-heating system

The worldwide fast development of building-integrated solar technology has prompted the design alternatives of fixing the solar panels on the building façades. How to make full use of an integrative system to achieve the best energy performance can be an important area in the technology promotion. Hybrid solar system applying in buildings has the advantage of increasing the energy output per unit installed collector area. This paper describes an experimental study of a centralized photovoltaic and hot water collector wall system that can serve as a water pre-heating system. Collectors are mounted at vertical facades. Different operating modes were performed with measurements in different seasons. Natural water circulation was found more preferable than forced circulation in this hybrid solar collector system. The thermal efficiency was found 38.9% at zero reduced temperature, and the corresponding electricity conversion efficiency was 8.56%, during the late summer of Hong Kong. With the PVT wall, the space thermal loads can be much reduced both in summer and winter, leading to substantial energy savings. Suggestions were given on how to further improve the system performance.     

Optimal design of a forced circulation solar water heating system for a residential unit in cold climate using TRNSYS

An indirect forced circulation solar water heating systems using a flat-plate collector is modeled for domestic hot water requirements of a single-family residential unit in Montreal, Canada. All necessary design parameters are studied and the optimum values are determined using TRNSYS simulation program. The solar fraction of the entire system is used as the optimization parameter. Design parameters of both the system and the collector were optimized that include collector area, fluid type, collector mass flow rate, storage tank volume and height, heat exchanger effectiveness, size and length of connecting pipes, absorber plate material and thickness, number and size of the riser tubes, tube spacing, and the collector’s aspect ratio. The results show that by utilizing solar energy, the designed system could provide 83-97% and 30-62% of the hot water demands in summer and winter, respectively. It is also determined that even a locally made non-selective-coated collector can supply about 54% of the annual water heating energy requirement by solar energy.     

Measurement and simulation of flow rate in a water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heater

This paper evaluates the characteristics of water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heaters including assessment of the circulation rate through single ended tubes. A numerical model of the heat transfer and fluid flow inside a single-ended evacuated tube has been developed assuming no interaction between adjacent tubes in the collector array. Flow measurement using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has been undertaken to validate the numerical model. The experimental rig consists of a single full-scale tube coupled to a storage tank. A non-dimensional correlation has been developed of the circulation rate through a single evacuated tube mounted at 45° inclination over a diffuse reflector. Simulation results show that the natural convection flow rate in the tube is high enough to disturb the tank’s stratification and that the tank temperature strongly affects the circulation flow rate through the tubes. Circumferential heat distribution was found to be an important parameter influencing the flow structure and circulation rate through the tube, hence a separate correlation needs to be developed if a concentrating reflector is incorporated into the collector.     

Performance study of thermosyphonic circulation solar water heaters using packed bed collectors

In the present investigation the performance behaviour of thermosyphonic circulation solar water heaters using packed bed collectors has been analysed. Iron chips, gravels and stones have been used as packing materials. Average tank water temperature, collector as well as system efficiency and mony pay-back for these packed bed solar water heaters are compared with those for solar water heater using a plane collector. Experimental results reveal that the performance of solar water heater improves appreciably by packing its collector with packing material. Among the packed-bed solar water heaters tested the iron chips packed-bed solar water heater gives the overall best performance.     

Modelling the thermosiphonic solar water heater with draw-off

A model of the time-dependent behaviour of the solar water heating system with natural circulation is modified to include the effects of water draw-off. Through computer simulation, the model is used to study the influence of the draw-off starting temperature T_s and the draw-off rate m_d on the overall system efficiency. Hot water withdrawal is assumed continuous from the moment the tank mean temperature reaches T_s. The results presented show that efficiency increases as T_s is decreased and/or m_d is increased. However, the draw-off parameters should be optimized in relation to the collector area and the tank volume for the location considered.     

All-glass vacuum tube collector heat transfer model used in forced-circulation solar water heating system

The aim of this paper is to establish the heat transfer model of all-glass vacuum tube collector used in forced-circulation solar water heating system. In this model, the simplified heat transfer of collector is composed of the natural convection in single glass tube and forced flow in manifold header. Thus the heat balance equation of water in single tube and the heat balance equation of water in manifold header have been established. The flow equation is also built by analyzing the friction and buoyancy in tube. Through solved these equations the relationship between the collector average temperature, the outlet temperature and natural convection flow rate have been obtained. From this relationship and energy balance equation of collector, the collector outlet temperature can be calculated. The validated experiments of this model were carried out in winter of Beijing.     

Experimental study of a refrigerant charged solar collector

The performance of a heat-pipe solar collector was investigated experimentally using refrigerants R11 as the working fluid. The unit is fabricated locally and its performance is evaluated under Beirut Solar conditions. The heat transfer from the heat pipes to the hot-water storage tank took place through a circular end condenser section of the heat-pipe integrated within the collector frame. Tests of single heat pipes showed that the thermal performance of the heat pipe were dependent on its tilt angle, condenser section length and configuration, and type of internal wick used. A circular condenser end of the heat-pipe performed better than a straight condenser due to increased surface area for heat transfer. The R11-charged solar collector with integrated condenser for secondary cooling of water had an efficiency in early operation hours that reached values higher than 60% for the forced circulation mode. The instantaneous system efficiencies varied from 60 to 20%, which are in the range of conventional water solar collectors. System response was fast and sensitive to the incident solar radiation. The thermosyphonic mode of the system operation generated build up of stored energy in the condenser, resulting in oscillating-type flow thus reducing system efficiency below values obtained with forced circulation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal characteristics of a building-integrated dual-function solar collector in water heating mode with natural circulation

As a modified building-integrated solar thermal system, building-integrated dual-function solar collector here proposed is able to provide passive space heating in cold winter, and water heating in warm seasons. In this study, evaluations were made on this modified collector system for the warm period operation under the water heating mode with natural circulation of flow. A dynamic numerical model has been developed and validated by experimental data. Based on practical air-conditioned room design conditions, numerical analysis was performed to study the water heating performance, as well as to compare the solar transmission through building facade in different seasons with or without its presence. The results show that when working in the water heating mode, the system performs well in providing services hot water in the warm seasons without bringing in summer overheating problem.     

Transient analysis of parallel plate forced circulation solar water heating system

In this paper, a transient analysis of a forced circulation solar water heating system with and without heat exchangers in the collector loop and storage tank has been presented for a parallel flat plate collector. The effect of various water heating system parameters on its performance have been studied. Numerical calculations have been made for a typical cold day viz. 26 January 1980 in Delhi.     

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.