Experimental Analysis of a Flat Plate Solar Collector System for Small-Scale Desalination Applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 984-985 ◽  
pp. 800-806
Author(s):  
G. Jims John Wessley ◽  
P. Koshy Mathews
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Collector System ◽  
Typical Day ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector ◽  
Solar Water Heating System ◽  
Flat Plate Collector

This paper presents the results of the experimental investigation on a solar flat plate collector carried out at Coimbatore, India (11°N Latitude and 74°E Longitude). The collector tubes allowed the water to flow twice across the flat plate collector using a circulating pump during which the water gets heated by the solar radiation received by the absorber. The maximum temperature of water obtained on a typical day in the month of April was 64°C with a solar radiation of 932.2651 W/m2. The available solar radiation strongly influences the temperature gain of the system while the wind velocity plays a considerable role in influencing the heat lost by the system. It is observed that the two-pass flow of water across the absorber plate results in a maximum temperature gain with an overall collector efficiency of 43.7 %. This solar water heating system using flat plate collector can be used for small-scale desalination applications.

Improved Model for Calculating Instantaneous Efficiency of Flat-Plate Solar Thermal Collector

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oussama Ibrahim ◽  
Farouk Fardoun ◽  
Rafic Younes ◽  
Mohamad Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Solar Water Heating ◽  
Solar Water ◽  
Flat Plate Solar Collector ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Solar Water Heating System

The performance of a flat-plate solar collector is usually assessed by its efficiency. This efficiency is normally defined on a steady-state basis, which makes it difficult to correctly track the instantaneous performance of the collector in various case-studies. Accordingly, this paper proposes an improved definition of instantaneous efficiency of a flat-plate solar collector used as a part of a solar water heating system. Using a predeveloped model by the authors for such a system, the proposed efficiency-definition is examined and compared with the conventional one for specific case studies. The results show that the improved definition of efficiency records reasonable values, i.e., no over-range values are observed contrast to the case of conventional efficiency-definition. Furthermore, this suggested efficiency approximately coincides with the conventional one at a wide range of time, as long as the system is operating in the so-called trans-steady-state phase or when the system is off-operational provided that the instantaneous rate of heat stored in the heat transfer fluid (HTF) is less than or equal to zero. As a result, the improved efficiency-definition yields more realistic results in reflecting the performance of a flat-plate collector in an active solar water heating system and is recommended to be used.

Comparative Study of Solar Water Heating Systems - Flat Plate Collector (FPC) with Evacuated Tube Collector

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 76-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Stanley David ◽  
Jayaraman Viveckraj ◽  
Sivamani Seralathan ◽  
K. Varatharajan
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Solar Water Heating ◽  
Solar Water ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Solar Water Heating System ◽  
Flat Plate Collector

Solar energy is one of the alternatives to replace the use of conventional energy sources to heat water for domestic use. This paper focuses on the design and fabrication of a second generation indigenized FPC with locally available low cost material and compares its performance with existing costlier ETC solar water heating system. Readings of FPC and ETC are taken on different days at different time intervals having varied climatic conditions and humidity levels. Analysis of data showed that the rate of temperature rise in ETC is higher than FPC. The maximum temperature reached by these two solar water heating system varies from 2°C to 4°C. The difference between ETC and the indigenized FPC is the time taken to reach the peak temperature. This is due to a better conversion factor and a comparatively low thermal loss factor of ETC. Considering the energy saving involved, as the difference in temperature between FPC and ETC ranges from 0.10°C to 6.80°C, FPC is better suited to heat water for domestic uses given the climatic conditions prevailing in Coimbatore city, India.

scholarly journals Technical Feasibility of Flat Plate Collector Water Heating System with Auto Tilting Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Kajave ◽  
Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Salimath ◽  
Prof. (Dr.) G. S. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Mathematical Correlation ◽  
Solar Water Heating System ◽  
Flat Plate Collector

Solar energy is the basic source of all the energy needs of the human kind. Solar energy, in its various forms is used by human civilization for fulfilling its needs. Water heating system is one of them. Conventionally, Flat Plate Collector (FPC) solar water heating system was used for this purpose. However, with technological development, new and more advanced systems, which are much more efficient and cost effective, replaced the FPC market. The developed pilot scale system in the current paper tries to evaluate the performance of the FPC by inclusion of an auto tilting mechanism for utilizing maximum incident solar radiation throughout the day. Changes in the temperature with respect to time, and comparison of the temperature variations of the tilting panel and a fixed panel were recorded, and further, a suitable mathematical correlation was developed for prediction of theoretical temperatures.

Optimum temperature and solar radiation periods for Kano using flat plate collector

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-578
Author(s):  
N. H. Waziri ◽  
A.M. Usman ◽  
J. S. Enaburekhan
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Optimum Temperature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Optimum Period ◽  
Flat Plate Collector ◽  
Hourly Basis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimum temperature and solar radiation periods from November 2008 to April 2009. Design/methodology/approach – Four flat plate collectors were constructed and inclined at an angle ß = 0o, Φ°, (Φ + 15)o and (Φ − 15)° tilt angles where Φ is the latitude of the location (12.1o). The tests were conducted for a period of six months spanning from November 2008 to April 2009. Readings were taken for solar radiation, absorber surface temperature and ambient temperature from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on an hourly basis. The amount of solar energy in W/m2 for Kano metropolis, which lies on latitude 12.1°, was determined experimentally. Findings – It was observed that the maximum temperature was 100°C, and it falls in April at the 12.1° tilt angle followed by 99.9°C and 99.8°C at –2.9° and 0°, respectively, within same month. April is the optimum period having the highest temperature. The maximum solar radiation for the six months recorded was 1070.4 W/m2 and fell on 4th and 8th of February at the 27.1° tilt angle and the highest mean monthly solar radiation was 953.7593W/m2 in November at the 27.1° tilt angle followed by 895.7321 and 888.6286W/m2 in February at the 27.1° and 12.1° tilt angle, respectively. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to six-month periods and Kano metropolis. Originality/value – The research was carried out in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

scholarly journals Technical Feasibility of Flat Plate Collector Water Heating System with Auto Tilting Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Kajave ◽  
Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Salimath ◽  
Prof. (Dr.) G. S. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Mathematical Correlation ◽  
Solar Water Heating System ◽  
Flat Plate Collector

Solar energy is the basic source of all the energy needs of the human kind. Solar energy, in its various forms is used by human civilization for fulfilling its needs. Water heating system is one of them. Conventionally, Flat Plate Collector (FPC) solar water heating system was used for this purpose. However, with technological development, new and more advanced systems, which are much more efficient and cost effective, replaced the FPC market. The developed pilot scale system in the current paper tries to evaluate the performance of the FPC by inclusion of an auto tilting mechanism for utilizing maximum incident solar radiation throughout the day. Changes in the temperature with respect to time, and comparison of the temperature variations of the tilting panel and a fixed panel were recorded, and further, a suitable mathematical correlation was developed for prediction of theoretical temperatures.

scholarly journals Experimental Validation of a Forced-Circulation Solar Water Heating System Equipped with Flat-Plate Solar Collectors – Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-570
Author(s):  
Altin Maraj
Keyword(s):  
Flat Plate ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Forced Circulation ◽  
Solar Water Heating ◽  
Solar Water ◽  
Area Efficiency ◽  
Solar Water Heating System ◽  
Flat Plate Collector

This paper represents the comparison and the validation of results obtained from the simulation, towards the measurements performed in a forced-circulation solar water heating system equipped with flat-plate solar collectors. Polysun tool is used to model and to simulate the considered system during an annual time period. Mathematical models are used to calculate the required sensible heat, thermal yield from the flat-plate collector area, delivered energy to the thermal consumer, efficiency of the collector area, efficiency of the system, and the solar fraction. To validate the model, experimental data recorded in time intervals of 5-minutes in a trial installation are utilized. Statistical test errors (epsilon, MBE, MPE, RMSE, and R^2) are used to compare the values obtained from the simulation and measurements. Between them, a very good fit is noticed.

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