International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 7, Issue 6, November–December 2016, pp.518–527, Article ID: IJMET_07_06_051

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ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
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STUDIES ON THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A

SOLAR AIR HEATER
Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai
Mechanical Engineering Department, SSET, SHIATS, Allahabad, (U.P.), India

ABSTRACT
In the present work, an attempt has been made to investigate the thermal performance of a flat
plate solar air heater. Analytical Thermal model for the flat plate solar air heater is presented.
Experimental observations were made in Indian (25º N, 81º E) climatic conditions. Maximum 10 %
variation is found between the theoretical and experimental values of outlet air temperature of the
solar air heater. Maximum instantaneous collector efficiency of 37% is obtained in the present
study.
Key words: Solar collectors, Heat removal rate, Thermal efficiency, Exergy etc.
Cite this Article: Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai, Studies on the Thermal
Performance of a Solar Air Heater. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Technology, 7(6), 2016, pp. 518–527.
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1. INTRODUCTION
The rapid growth of population and industrialization are the basic reasons behind increasing energy
demand. Conventional energy sources are used to meet this demand. Developing countries are heavily
dependent on the fossil fuels for their energy needs. This causes depletion of fossil fuel resources and
degradation of environment. Use of renewable energy sources may be alternative to the fossil fuels which
also saves the environment. Therefore there is a great need to explore the renewable energy sources and to
develop the renewable energy based technologies to meet our energy demand in the present context. Solar
energy is the one most abundant renewable energy source and emits energy at rate of 3.8x1023kW, of
which, approximately 1.8x 1014kW is intercepted by the earth [1]. One of the most potential applications of
solar energy is the supply of hot air for the drying of agriculture, textile, marine, products, heating a
building to maintain a comfortable environment especially in the winter season [2]. Solar air heater is a
device in which energy transfer is from a distant source of radiant energy to air. Solar air heaters can be
used for many purposes, including crop drying, space heating and for re-generating agents [3-4]. Thermal
performance of the solar air collectors depends on the material, shape, dimension and lay out of the
collector. Performance improvement can be achieved using diverse materials, various shapes and different
dimensions and layouts [5-8]. Thermodynamic analysis is an effective means to obtain precise and
valuable information about energy efficiency and losses due to irreversibility in a real situation. The first
law is widely used in the engineering practice and is the basis of the heat balance method of analysis that is
commonly used in the engineering system performance analysis. The second law involves the reversibility
or irreversibility of processes and is a very important aspect of the exergy method of energy systems
analysis [9]. Energy analyses on their own incorrectly interprets some processes, e.g., environmental air,

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 Studies on the Thermal Performance of a Solar Air Heater

when isothermally compressed, maintains its energy equal to zero. Whereas the exergy of the compressed
air is larger than zero. However, Exergy data are more practical and realistic in comparison to the
respective energy values. Thus, the exergy analysis provides a more realistic view of process [10-11]. The
exergy analysis establishes the theoretical limits of ideal operations, very convenient to determine the best
collector for a specific application [12]. Several researchers [13-14] have undertaken experimental studies
for thermodynamic analysis of solar air heaters. e.g., Karsli [15] determined the first and second law
efficiencies of different types of air heating flat-plate solar collectors. Comakli and Yukesal [16] presented
the experimental result of four type of solar air heater, only the exergy efficiencies of the collectors were
calculated and comparison were made among them on the basis of the exegetic efficiencies. In the present
work an attempt has been made to theoretically and experimentally analyze the performance of solar air
heater based on the first and second law of thermodynamics.

2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
A solar air heater is fabricated, with galvanized iron absorber plate of size (1.21m x 0.92m), The thickness
of the cover plate is 0.005m. A flat plate single pass solar air heater was constructed to obtain the thermal
efficiencies. Here air is used as a working fluid; the observer plate is painted black in order to absorb the
maximum insolation. An exhaust fan is provided at the inlet of the setup, since setup designed for forced
convective mode. Insulation is provided at the base of the absorber plate which minimizes the heat loss
through base of the system. The other two sides of the solar air heater are also insulated to prevent heat
losses from the side walls. A desired flow rate is maintained through fan regulator, the temperature at the
different point of the system is measured with the help of J-type thermocouple. Solar intensity and wind
velocity are measured with solarymeter and anemometer respectively

Figure 1 Photograph of the experimental set up of the solar air heater.

The experiment is performed in the Solar Energy laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering
Department of SHIATS, Allahabad. The experiments were conducted in the month of May and
observations are referred between the shine days of hours 8 am to 5:30 pm.

3. MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF FLAT PLATE SOLAR AIR HEATER

The photograph of the solar air heater under analysis is given in Fig. 1. The heat transfer in the solar air
collector is studied by considering the overall energy balance between the components of the collector.
Rate equations are used to estimate the convective and radiative heat transfer rates between the
components. The model incorporates several empirical relations to calculate the various heat transfer
coefficients used in the rate equations. [17].The assumptions used in developing the model are listed
below:

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 Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai

• The absorber and back plate temperatures are assumed to be uniform throughout their respective surfaces.
• Air flow through the air heater/passage/surface is assumed homogeneous.
• The effect of pressure drop is negligible.
• Absorber is considered to be diffuse and gray for all absorbed and emitted radiations.
• Losses along the edges are neglected.
• There is no shading on the absorber plate.
• Dust effect on the cover is neglected.
• Temperature drop through the cover is neglected.
The above mentioned assumptions are consistent with studies conducted earlier.

4. ENERGY BALANCE ANALYSIS

For the present analysis, the energy balance equations for the three collector components – absorber plate,
air and back plate – have been written by considering the solar input, the heat and mass flow rates across
the collector, and thermal losses. The heat transfer modes and heat exchanges in the collector are presented
in Fig 2. The energy input to the system is from the solar radiation received on the absorber surface. The
net losses from the system are due to convection and radiation losses from the absorber surface and back
plate. An energy balance on the absorber plate of area (1 ×δ x ) is given by equation (1-28). [18].

Figure 2 Energy balance on an absorber plate

S ( δ x ) = ut (δ x ) (Tp − Ta ) + hc , p − a (δ x ) (Tp − T ) + hr , p −bδ x (Tp − Tb ) (1)

An energy balance equation for the air stream volume ( s ×1× δ x ) gives, where s=height:
 . 
 m  C p  dT δ x  = hc , p −a (δ x ) (Tp − T ) + hc ,b −aδ x (Tb − T ) (2)
 W   dx 
 
An Energy balance equation for the back plate area (1× δ x ) is obtained by the given equation:
hr , p −bδ x (Tp − Ta ) = hc ,b − a (δ x )(Tb − T ) + ubδ x (Tb − Ta ) (3)
Since ub is much smaller, so ut , ut u L , neglecting the back loss ub , equation 3 Tb gives
hr , p−bTp + hc ,b−aT
Tb = hr , p−b + hc ,b−a
(4)
Substituting the value of equation (4) in equation (1):
( )
Ta u L + h = S + u LTa + hT (5)

Where, S = (τα ) Gt (6)

1
h = hc , p − a +    1 
(7)
1
  + 
h   
 c ,b −a   hc , p −b 

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 Studies on the Thermal Performance of a Solar Air Heater

Substituting equation (4) in Equation (2) gives:

 . 
m dT
hTp =   C p + hT (8)
W  dx
 
Equation (5) and equation (8) gives:
 
.

 m  C p dT = F '  S − uL (T − Ta )  (9)
W  dx  
 
Where F’=collector efficiency factor for air collectors, given by:
1
uL h
F'=  1  1
= h + uL (10)
 + 
 uL   h 

The initial condition of equation (9) are T = Ti and x = 0 . Therefore:

 
S  1  uL F ' 
T =  + Ta  +  S − u L (Ti − Ta )  exp  −  .  x  (11)
 uL  uL   W C p 
 m

   
This equation gives the temperature distribution of air in the duct. The temperature of the air at the
outlet for the collector is obtained from (11), using x = L and considering Ac = WL , Therefore,
1   
To = Ti +  S − u L (Ti − Ta )  1 − exp − Ac. uL F '   (12)
uL   mC p  
Energy gain by the Air stream:
 .  .
  A u F ' 
Qu  m  mC
= C p (To − Ti ) = AcuLp  S − u L (Ti − Ta )  1 − exp − c. L   (13)
W W    mC p  
 
Heat removal factor FR :
mC   
.

FR = AcuLp 1 − exp − Ac. uL F '   (14)

  mC p  
Using equation (14) in equation (13) gives:
Qu = Ac FR  S − u L (Ti − Ta )  (15)
Thermal Efficiency of solar collector
ηc = ITQAu p (16)
For calculating the radiative heat transfer:
σ ( Tp +Tg )(Tp 2 +Tg 2 )
hr , p − g =     (17)
1 1
 + −1
 ε p   εg 
   

To calculate the convective heat transfer coefficients, Reynolds’s number should be determined:
.
ρVD mD
Re = µ = Ac µ
(18)
Where Ac = s × W the cross sectional area and D is the Hydraulic diameter of the channel:
D = 4  W2W×s  = 2s (19)

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 Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai

After determination of Reynolds number, Convection heat transfer coefficients for turbulent flow can
be calculated as follows:
K
hc , p − a = hc ,b − a = 0.0158 Re 0.8 (20)
D
Exergy analysis: By applying exergy balance on solar air heater shown in Fig.1, exergy efficiency can
be derived. Exergy balance on a flat plate solar air heater can be generally expressed as Chamoli (2013):
. . . . .
∑E −∑E in out − ∑ Eloss − ∑ E change − ∑ E des = 0 (21)
.
The exergy input rate ∑ Ein includes the exergy accompanying mass flow rate and the exergy of solar
.
radiation and exergy out rate includes exergy mass flow. The ∑ E gain is the exergy accumulated by the
fluid flow:
. . .
∑ E gain = ∑ E out , f - ∑ E in, f (22)
Exergy efficiency is the ratio of gain exergy to solar radiation exergy.
Egain
ɳEX = (23)
Ein ,r
.
= E
A dimensional less parameter is defined as E = .
, is the ratio of exergy to the incoming radiation
Ein , r
exergy from the sun.
= = = =
η EX = E gain = 1 − ∑ E loss − ∑ E change − ∑ E des (24)
The inlet exergy rate includes the inlet exergy rate with fluid flow and the absorbed solar radiation
exergy rate. The inlet exergy rate with fluid flow is given by:
. .   T  .
E f = m C p T − Ta − Ta ln    + mρ∆p (25)
  Ta  
Effect of pressure drop is neglected. According to Petela’s theory the exact exergy received by solar
.
radiation for a typical collector with surface area of Ap becomes: E in,r = ITAp ɳp (26)
ɳp is Patella’s efficiency of converting radiation energy (i.e. ITAp) in to work as Bejan (1988):
4
ηp = 4Ta
3Ts + 13 ( )
Ta
Ts (27)
Considering the exergy at inlet and outlet then exergy efficiency is expressed as:
.   T 
η Ex = IT Ampη p C p  To − Ti − Ta ln o   (28)
  T1  

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Energy balance and rate equations discussed earlier were solved to find the exit air temperature,
collector efficiency and heat delivered for a given set of input values, for a given time span. The
intermediate values would include the estimation of the heat transfer coefficients and heat flux between the
air heater components. For subsequent times, the initial temperatures are specified equal to temperatures
values of the respective previous sections. The iterative process is continued until the end time is reached.
As initial condition, the absorber plate, black plate and air are assume to be at ambient temperature. The
results are discussed in the following section.

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 Studies on the Thermal Performance of a Solar Air Heater

Table 1 Input parameters and their values used in the study

S.No Input Parameter Range S.No Input Parameter Range

1 Glazing Single glass 8 Transmttance-absoptance 0.84

product,
2 Fluid Air 9 plate thickness 0.002m

3 Bond conductance Neglected 10 Absorber plate emittance, ɛp 0.92

4 Length of plate L=1.21m 11 Glass cover emmitance, ɛg 0.92

5 Width of plate W=0.92m 12 Stefan-Boltzman constant , σ 5.67x10-8

W/m2 K4
6 Depth of channel s=0.05m 13 . 0.038 kg/s
Mass flow rate m
7 Sun temperature, Ts 5760K 14 Heat lost coefficient u L 6.5W/m2

Experiments were conducted in the summer seasons of Indian climatic conditions and in the premises
of SHIATS Allahabad. Observations taken for a particular day are used in the study. Fig.3 shows the
variation of solar intensity with respect to time of the day. Fig. 4 shows the variation of air temperature at
the outlet of the heater. Theoretical instantaneous temperature values were obtained using the expression
obtained through the mathematical modeling. Maximum 10 % variation is obtained between the theoretical
and experimental values.

1200
Solar Intensity(W/m2)
1000
Solar Intensity (W/m2)

800

600

400

200

0
08:30
09:00
09:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
01:00
01:30
02:00
02:30
03:00
03:30
04:00
04:30
05:00

Time of the Day (hr)

Figure 3 Variation of solar intensity with respect to (w.r.t.) time of the day

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 Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai

340
Experimental

AIR OUTLET TEMPERATURE (K)

335 Theoretical

330

325

320

315

310

305

TIME OF THE DAY (hr)

Figure 4 Variation of air outlet temperature of the system w.r.t. time of the day
Variation of collector efficiency is shown in the fig.5. As it is expected average collector efficiency
comes out to be 28.21%, whereas 37.9% maximum instantaneous collector efficiency is obtained. Fig.6.
Shows the variation of Petela efficiency with respect to the time of the day. As expected a straight line
pattern with average value of 0.926 is obtained. Theoretical outlet air temperature is used to obtain
theoretical exergy efficiency. Fig.6 shows the variation of theoretical and experimental exergy efficiency
of the system. As solar intensity go on decreasing with respect to time of the day, experimental and
theoretical exergy efficiencies are decreasing and reaching to a minimum at the end of the day. Exergy loss
and distruction is found more in the solar air heater. Average experimental exergy efficiency of 0.74% and
average theoretical exergy efficiency of 0.44% is obtained.

90
Collectot Efficiency ɳc in %
80
70
EFFICIENCY (%)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

TIME OF THE DAY (hr)

Figure 5 Variation of efficiencies (Collector and Thermal) of the system w.r.t. time of the day

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 Studies on the Thermal Performance of a Solar Air Heater

2.5
Petela's Efficiency Exergy Efficiency (Th)

EFFICIENCY (%)
1.5

0.5

0
08:30
09:00
09:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
01:00
01:30
02:00
02:30
03:00
03:30
04:00
04:30
05:00
TIME OF THE DAY (hr)

Figure 6 Variation of Exergy efficiencies theoretical (Th), and experimental (Ex) and Petela’s efficiency of the
system w.r.t. time of the day

6. CONCLUSION
This presents the details of a Mathematical model for a solar air heater using heat transfer expressions for
the collector components and empirical relations for estimating the various Heat transfer coefficients. It
predicts the thermal performance of a solar air heater over a wide range of operating condition namely
solar intensity and inlet air temperature. Average collector efficiency of 28.21% and maximum
instantaneous thermal efficiency of 79% is obtained. Exergy analysis shows the maximum loss and exergy
destruction in the system. Average exergy efficiency of 0.75% is obtained in the present study.

6.1. Nomenclature
A Area (m2) h Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2-K)
Cp Heat capacity of the fluid ( K j /Kg k) S Absorbed solar radiation (W/m2)
F’ Collector efficiency factor Re Reynolds’s No.
FR Heat removal factor Nu Nusselt No
IT Incident Solar radiation (W/m2) L Collector length (m)
UL Over all heat loss coefficient (W/m2-K) W Collector width (m)
T Temperature (K) s Depth of air channel (m)
Q Heat transfer rate (Watt) .
m Mass flow rate (Kg/sec)
D Hydraulic diameter (m)

6.2. Greek symbols

a absorptance σ Stefan-Boltzman constant
ɳ Efficiency ɛ emmitance
τ Transmittance µ Dynamic viscosity (Kg/m-s)
(τα) Effective product of transmittance- k Thermal conductivity ( W/m-k)
absoptance

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 Ravish Kumar Srivastava and Ajeet Kumar Rai

6.3. Subscripts
a ambient s Sun ,Depth of channel
o outlet g Glass
i inlet Ex Exergy
exp exponential c Convective
p plate , petla r Radiative
c collector t Total
u useful b Back

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