A tubular solar still integrated with a heat pipe

The aim of this work is to explore the thermal performance of a tracked tubular solar still (TSS) with a parabolic trough concentrator in Baghdad (33.27° N, 44.37° E) in September 2022. The present tubular still is distinguished by its hexagonal glass cover. The effect of integrating the TSS with a heat pipe, the still tilt angle (10°, 15°), and the depth of saline water inside the still partitions on the productivity of freshwater are investigated. The results showed that using heat pipe enhances the freshwater productivity by 25%–40% and the efficiency by 25%. For the still integrated with heat pipe, as the water depth is increased from 5.5 to 6.5 cm the productivity of freshwater is increased by 16% and 20% for tilt angles 10° and 15°, respectively.     

GIS assessment of large CSP plant in Duqum,Oman

This paper discusses solar power prospects in Wilayat Duqum in Oman. First, the geographic and topographic information about the selected region is presented. The methodology of producing solar radiation map for Duqum using GIS tools is then presented. The results obtained show very high potential of solar radiation over Wilayat Duqum during the whole year. A slope analysis has allowed calculating the yearly electricity generation potential for different concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies such as the parabolic trough, parabolic dish, tower, and concentrated PV. Based on the development plan of the Duqum region, and the topologies of the land areas in the region, it is suggested that, for the CSP technologies requiring large amount of water for washing the mirrors, the selected area is a flat land (slope < 1%) located proximity to the sea (～2 km) inside a total industrial area of around 50 km², hence, allowing easy future expansion of the plant. It was proposed to start with a 100 MW power plant which is expected to consume about 2.4 km² of flat land for the parabolic trough CSP technology. The total calculated potential of yearly electricity generation would be about 2.3 TWh. If half of the selected land (0.5 × 50 km²) is reserved for future expansion of the plant, the total future capacity can attain 1 GW of electric power. The selected area can also accommodate in the future different types of CSP technologies as they mature with time.     

Experimental study and exergetic analysis of a CPC-type solar water heater system using higher-temperature circulation in winter

The common solar water heater system can meet low temperature requirements, but exhibits very low efficiency in attaining higher water temperatures (55–95 °C). In the current paper, a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC)-type solar water heater system experiment rig with a U-pipe was set up, and its performance in meeting higher temperature requirements was investigated. The experiments were conducted in December at Hefei (31°53′ N, 117°15′ E), in the eastern region of China. The system showed steady performance in winter, with overall thermal efficiency always above 43%. The water in the tank was heated from 26.9 °C to 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95 °C. Through the experimental study and exergetic analysis of the solar water heater system, results of the five experiments showed thermal efficiency of above 49.0% (attaining 95 °C water temperature) and exergetic efficiency of above 4.62% (attaining 55 °C water temperature). Based on these results, the CPC-type solar water heater system with a U-pipe shows superior thermal performance in attaining higher temperatures and has potential applications in space heating, heat-powered cooling, seawater desalination, industrial heating, and so on.     

Experimental study of the performance of a circular tube solar collector with closed-loop oscillating heat-pipe with check valve (CLOHP/CV)

This paper describes the performance of a circular glass tube solar collector with a set of closed-loop oscillating heat-pipes with check valves (CLOHP/CV). The assembly was divided into three sections, i.e. circular glass tube, adiabatic gap and condenser water tank. A circular 10-set glass tube solar collector of 0.058 m diameter and 1.50 m length was housed on a collecting plate. The inside circular glass tube consisted of a CLOHP/CV and collecting plate. The adiabatic gap was 0.05 m. The condenser water tank was made from a 0.03 × 0.05 m² zinc sheet. The CLOHP/CV consisted of the collecting plate cover with inner diameter of 0.003 m and 26.40 m total length per set, and it contained two check valves with evaporator 1.50 m long, adiabatic gap 0.05 m and condenser 0.30 m long. R-134a was used as the working fluid with filling ratio of 50%. The CLOHP/CV arrangement was aligned at an inclination angle of 18 degrees from the horizontal plane, with 6 turns per set. A 0.001 m thick aluminum sheet was used to make a collecting plate with 0.10 × 1.50 m² test area. Efficiency evaluations were conducted during daylight hours over a 2-month period and included extensive monitoring and recording of temperatures with type-K thermocouples placed at key locations throughout the system. The results confirmed the anticipated fluctuation in collector efficiency dependent on the time of day, solar energy irradiation, ambient temperature and circular tube surface mean temperature. An efficiency of approximately 76% was achieved, which correlates with the efficiency of the more expensive heat-pipe system. The CLOHP/CV system offers the additional benefits of corrosion-free operation and absence of freezing during winter months.     

Numerical and experimental investigation of parabolic trough collector with focal evacuated tube and different working fluids integrated with single slope solar still

This study deals with the design and fabrication of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTCs) used to increase the yield of a single slope solar still. The designed parabolic trough solar collector is investigated numerically using Ansys Fluent 18.2. The proposed solar still is coupled with a parabolic trough solar collector with an evacuated tube receiver in its focal axis using different working fluids. The working fluids are water (case 1), oil (case 2), and nano-oil (CuO/mineral oil 3% vol; case 3). In the case when the working fluid is not water, then a heat exchanger serpentine should be used in the solar still basin. The PTC has a rim angle of 82° and an aperture width of 0.9 m and length of 2.8 m. An assessment of the performance for the studied systems was accomplished under the weather conditions of Ismailia, Egypt, during summer months, June, July, and August 2019. The outcomes of closed-loop working fluids different flow rates are investigated. The experimental results of the accumulated freshwater productivities record 2.955, 3.475, 4.29, and 5.04 L m⁻² d⁻¹ for the traditional solar still and the modified cases 1 to 3 solar stills, respectively. The modified solar still in case 3 has the highest daily accumulated freshwater productivity with a percentage increase of 71.2% than the traditional solar still. The maximum daily efficiency is 46% and 26.9% for the traditional and modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively. The cost of 1 L of fresh water is 0.057 and 0.062 $/L for the traditional and the modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively.     

Passive solar radiant system,SIRASOL. Physical–mathematical modeling and sensitivity analysis

When using passive solar heating systems, it is necessary to have available an Equator-facing facade on which to install them. Rooms without such a facade are not the best option for conventional passive solar heating systems. SIRASOL is a passive solar radiant system that captures solar energy and is to be installed in the ceiling of the room. This room must not necessarily have an Equator-facing facade. Solar energy heats up a metal sheet, which is the radiant panel, which transfers heat by long-wave radiation to the room below it. This paper presents a mathematical model and a sensitivity analysis. The mathematical model was used to analyze radiant panel temperature, radiant mean temperature, operative temperature and panel surface area. Results of the sensitivity study showed that when solar radiation rises (from 200 to 800 W) panel temperature increases from 36 °C to 92 °C, whereas variations in outside and inside air temperature have a negligible impact on the panel temperature. Thus, the use of SIRASOL is possible in locations with clear skies. Moreover, from panel temperature values we calculated mean radiant temperature and thereby the room’s operative temperature, which is proportional to the radiant panel area. When this area is 50% of the room’s floor area, operative temperature grows 3.1 °C higher than inside air temperature when solar radiation is 500 W/m². The analysis shows that a thermal asymmetry appears only when SIRASOL’s surface area to floor area ratio is higher than 32%.     

Solar energy system reduces time taken to inhibit microbial growth in soil

This research studied how to reduce the time consumption and to increase and improve the efficiency of the solarization process. The asymmetry compound parabolic concentrator (ACPC) was developed to produce boiling water to be utilized while the solarization process was in operation. This could decrease the time consumed in the solarization process from 4 to 6 weeks to 4 h, with a temperature of approximately 41.25 °C at the various depth levels, not exceeding 50 cm. The test to inhibit the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum, the causative agent of wilt in crops leaves, indicated that R. solanacearum was reduced from the total bacterial population of 10.9 × 10⁸ colony forming unit/g soil (cfu g^?1) at soil surface to 9.0 × 10⁷, 7.5 × 10⁴ and 4.1 × 10³ cfu g^?1 within 1, 2 and 4 h, respectively.     

Solar electricity prospects in Oman using GIS-based solar radiation maps

This paper discusses solar power prospects in Oman. First, the geographic and topographic information about Oman are presented. The methodology of producing solar radiation maps using GIS tools is then discussed. The results obtained show very high potential of solar radiation over all the lands of Oman during the whole year. A slope analysis has allowed calculating the yearly electricity generation potential for different Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies such as the parabolic trough, parabolic dish, tower, and concentrated PV. For instance if only 10% of the land of Oman with a slope less than 1% is considered an exploitable land for the parabolic trough CSP technology, then the total calculated potential of yearly electricity generation would be about 7.6 million GWh, which is many multiples of (680 times) the current generation supply in Oman which was about 11,189 GWh in 2007.     

A multistage solar still with photovoltaic panels and DC water heater using a pyramid glass cover enhanced by external cooling shower and PCM

A novel multistage solar desalination system with a photovoltaic heater was manufactured. The base of the down basin of the solar still had a layer of paraffin wax with a mass of 13 kg as a phase change material. The system has been studied to evaluate the enhancement of freshwater. Saltwater was heated by solar radiation and by a direct current water heater. The surfaces of condensation vapor, such as the pyramid glass cover and lower surface of two stacked trays, were designed. This is to improve the productivity of freshwater by decreasing the resistance of condensation. The high temperature of the glass cover is modified by using a cooling water shower, especially at the highest intensity. The study includes parameters, such as cooling water shower flow rate, down basin water level, and the effect of the heater. It is observed that the novel solar desalination is proportional to solar radiation, paraffin wax, the heat input from a heater, cooling water shower flow rate, and down basin water level. The Multiple Stage Effect Photovoltaic Heater (MSEPVH) can produce 15 L/day of distilled water. The excellent flow rate of cooling water, the total freshwater, and the efficiency of MSEPVH for the optimal day were mathematically and experimentally determined.     

The daily performance of a solar pond integrated with solar collectors

The present study deals with heat storage performance investigation of integrated solar pond and collector system. In the experimental work, a cylindrical solar pond system (CSPS) with a radius of 0.80 m and a depth of 2.0 m and four flat plate collectors dimensions of 1.90 m × 0.90 m was built in Cukurova University in Adana, Turkey. The CSPS was filled with salty water of various densities to form three salty water zones (Upper Convective Zone, Non-Convective Zone and Heat Storage Zone). Heat energy collected by collectors was transferred to the solar pond storage zone by using a heat exchanger system which is connected to the solar collectors. Several temperature sensors connected to a data acquisition system were placed vertically inside the CSPS and at the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger. Experimental studies were performed using 1, 2, 3 and 4 collectors integrated with the CSPS under approximately the same condition. The integrated solar pond efficiencies were calculated experimentally and theoretically according to the number of collectors. As a result, the experimental efficiencies are found to be 21.30%, 23.60%, 24.28% and 26.52%; the theoretical efficiencies to be 23.42%, 25.48%, 26.55% and 27.70% for 1, 2, 3 and 4 collectors, respectively. Theoretical efficiencies were compared with the experimental results and hence a good agreement is found between experimental and theoretical efficiency profiles.     

Experimental study of the performance of a solar collector by closed-end oscillating heat pipe (CEOHP)

An experimental flat plate solar collector operating in conjunction with a closed-end oscillating heat pipe (CEOHP) offers a reasonably efficient and cost effective alternative to conventional solar collector system that use heat pipes. The CEOHP system described in this study relies on the natural forces of gravity and capillary action and dose not require an external power source. The flat plate collector consisted of a 1 mm thick sheet of black zinc covered by a glass enclosure with a collecting area of 2.00 × 0.97 m² , an evaporator located on the collecting plate, and a condenser inserted into a water tank. A length of 0.003 ID copper tubing was bent into multiple turns at critical points along its path and used to channel the working fluid throughout the system. R134a was used as the working fluid. Efficiency evaluations were conducted during daylight hours over a two month period and included extensive monitoring and recording of temperatures with type-K thermocouples placed at key locations throughout the system. The results confirmed the anticipated fluctuation in collector efficiency dependant on the time of day, solar energy irradiation, ambient temperature and flat plate mean temperature. An efficiency of approximately 62% was achieved, which correlates with the efficiency of the more expensive heat pipe system. The CEOHP system offers the additional benefits of corrosion free operation and absence of freezing during winter months.     

Modelling and experimental validation of thin layer indirect solar drying of mango slices

The thin layer solar drying of mango slices of 8 mm thick was simulated and experimented using a solar dryer designed and constructed in laboratory. Under meteorological conditions of harvest period of mangoes, the results showed that 3 “typical days” of drying were necessary to reach the range of preservation water contents. During these 3 days of solar drying, 50%, 40% and 5% of unbound water were eliminated, respectively, at the first, second and the third day. The final water content obtained was about 16 ± 1.33% d.b. (13.79% w.b.). This final water content and the corresponding water activity (0.6 ± 0.02) were in accordance with previous work. The drying rates with correction for shrinkage and the critical water content were experimentally determined. The critical water content was close to 70% of the initial water content and the drying rates were reduced almost at 6% of their maximum value at night. The thin layer drying model made it possible to simulate suitably the solar drying kinetics of mango slices with a correlation coefficient of r² = 0.990. This study thus contributed to the setting of solar drying time of mango and to the establishment of solar drying rates' curves of this fruit.     

Design and performance of the solar-powered floor heating system in a green building

In the green building of Shanghai Research Institute of Building Science, the evacuated tubular solar collectors with a total area of 150 m² were installed to provide heating for the covered area of 460 m². The floor heating coil pipes were made of high-quality pure copper with the dimension of Φ 12 × 0.7 mm. Under typical weather condition of Shanghai, the average heating capacity was 25.04 kW during the working hours from 9:00 to 17:00, which was sufficient to keep indoor thermal environment. The average electric COP of the floor heating system was 19.76 during the system operation. Compared with the widely used air-source heat pump heating systems with the electric COP of 3.5 in Shanghai, the solar-powered floor heating system shows great potential in energy conservation in winter. With respect to the whole heating period, the solar fraction was 56%. According to the performance analysis of the system with ambient parameters, it was observed that the system performance could be greatly enhanced with the increase of daily solar insolation. However, the system performance varied slightly with average ambient temperature. Compared with average ambient temperature, daily solar insolation had a more distinct influence on the performance of the solar-powered floor heating system.     

Asymmetrical heat transfer through composites of water and aqueous solutions in the presence of the density maximum

A device is described through which heat flows at different rates depending on the orientation of the temperature gradient. The device consists of two cubic enclosures side by side, one of which is filled with pure water with a temperature of maximum density of 4 °C, and the other which contains a saline solution with a temperature of maximum density of 2 °C. A temperature gradient, which spans both of these temperatures of maximum density, is applied horizontally across the composite system, resulting in different rates of heat transfer through the device depending on the gradient direction. Experiments performed with a 12 × 6× 6 cm container yield heat transfer rates of 0.55 W and 0.19 W depending on the direction of the temperature gradient, resulting in a rectification factor of 65.4%. Asymmetrical heat transfer rates are also found in composite systems of water and solids when the temperature gradient spans the temperature of maximum density of the water. Results from computational fluid dynamics confirm the experimental results, and are used to investigate the influence of such parameters as temperature gradient and container aspect ratio on the rectification factor.     

Performance of solar still with a concave wick evaporation surface

Surfaces used for evaporation and condensation phenomenon play important roles in the performance of basin type solar still. In the present study, a concave wick surface was used for evaporation, whereas four sides of a pyramid shaped still were used for condensation. Use of jute wick increased the amount of absorbed solar radiation and enhanced the evaporation surface area. A concave shaped wick surface increases the evaporation area due to the capillary effect. Results show that average distillate productivity in day time was 4.1 l/m² and a maximum instantaneous system efficiency of 45% and average daily efficiency of 30% were recorded. The maximum hourly yield was 0.5 l/h. m² after solar noon. An estimated cost of 1 l of distillate was 0.065 $ for the presented solar still.     

Single layer solar drying behaviour of Citrus aurantium leaves under forced convection

Convective solar drying experiments in thin layers of Citrus aurantium leaves grown in Marrakech, morocco, were conducted. An indirect forced convection solar dryer consisting of a solar air collector, an auxiliary heater, a circulation fan and a drying cabinet is used for the experiments. The air temperature was varied from 50 to 60 °C; the relative humidity from 41% to 53%; and the drying air flow rate from 0.0277 to 0.0833 m³/s. Thirteen statistical models, which are semi-theoretical and/or empirical, were tested for fitting the experimental data. A nonlinear regression analysis using a statistical computer program was used to evaluate the constants of the models. The Midilli–Kucuk drying model was found to be the most suitable for describing the solar drying curves of Citrus aurantium leaves with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99998, chi-square (χ²) of 4.664 × 10⁻⁶ and MBE of 4.8381 × 10⁻⁴.     

Thermal analysis for system uses solar energy as a pressure source for reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination

As Natural resources are becoming limited and energy price dramatically increased, energy utilization with efficient systems is essentially required to be used in desalination technologies. The use of solar energy in desalination processes is one of the most promising applications of renewable energies. The primary focus on desalination by solar energy is suitable for use in remote areas. A proposed desalination system uses solar radiation, which concentrated by parabolic dish to heat up the working fluid in a closed space. Then the generated pressure in this space used to push salt water into RO module.Daily production rate of fresh water quantity for suggested system compared with other solar techniques is a promising rate for each m² of solar radiation collecting surface. The production rate for one operation cycle could reach to 1800 L/cycle of fresh water at low water salinity (Brackish water with 5000 ppm) and 55 L/cycle at highest water salinity (sea water salinity with 42,000 ppm). The required energy needed to produce 1 kg of fresh water is also promising even when in case of using another type of energy, also operating cycle has ability of repetition according to salinity concentration through sunny hours.     

Performance of a dual-purpose solar continuous adsorption system

A conceptual design and performance of a dual-purpose solar continuous adsorption system for domestic refrigeration and water heating is described. Malaysian activated carbon and methanol are used as the adsorbent–adsorbate pair. The heat rejected by the adsorber beds and condensers during the cooling process of the refrigeration part is recovered and used to heat water for the purpose of domestic consumption. In a continuous 24-h cycle, 16.9 MJ/day of heat can be recovered for heating of water in the storage tanks. In the single-purpose intermittent solar adsorption system, this heat is wasted. The total energy input to the dual-purpose system during a 24-h operation is 61.2 MJ/day and the total energy output is 50 MJ/day. The latter is made up of 44.7 MJ/day for water heating and 5.3 MJ/day for ice making. The amount of ice that can be produced is 12 kg/day. Using typical value for the efficiency of evacuated tube collector of water heating system of 65%, the following coefficient of performances (COP's) are obtained: 44% for adsorption refrigeration cycle, 73% for dual-purpose solar water heater, 9.1% for dual-purpose solar adsorption refrigeration and 82.1% for dual-purpose of both solar water heater and refrigerator.     

Design and fabrication of a cost effective solar air heater for Bangladesh

In this research, a solar air heater is designed, fabricated and its performance is assessed in the perspective of an emerging/developing country with a huge energy demand like Bangladesh. The winter season (mid-November–mid-February) of the country characterizes by low temperatures, cool air blowing from the west or northwest, clear sky and meager rainfall. Minimum temperature in the extreme northwest in late December and early January sometimes reaches 3 °C and day length is about 10 h. The shortness of winter days can be compensated by reducing the heat loss during long nights. The solar air heater is constructed to prevent as much heat loss as possible. In other words, the heating of air is accomplished by maximizing light gain and minimizing heat loss. It is observed that the fabricated solar air heater is working efficiently. The maximum room temperature and the temperature difference from ambient are 45.5 °C and 12.25 °C for forced circulation and 41.75 °C and 8.5 °C for natural circulation respectively. The experimental outlet temperatures have been compared with that of theoretical values. Due to its low-cost and simple technology, it is affordable in all aspects, viz. of cost, operation and maintenance by the typical people of Bangladesh.