Closed collector –storage solar air heating system thermal performance: an experimental study

Abstract

ABSTRACT A novel solar air heater design is proposed in the present study. The new design is a closed collector – storage solar air heater system (CCSSAHS) integrated with an internal finned heat exchanger filled with PCM. Two identical solar air heaters were manufactured for the sake of comparison. The first one was filled with RT42, and the second one was filled with RT50. The thermal performance of the solar air heaters was studied for RT42 and RT50, utilizing reflecting mirror; air mass flow rate, that is, 0.25, 0.045, and 0.065 kg/s; series and separation arrangements. For RT42, the experiments showed at 0.025 kg, with mirror, and series arrangement that the stored power, charging efficiency, discharged power, and discharging efficiency were 1255 W, 90.7%, 420 W, and 93.9%, respectively, while for RT50 were 1203 W, 87%, 332 W, and 88.1%, respectively. The highest air temperature difference between the exit and entrance of the solar air heater was found for RT42 at 0.025 kg/s with mirror for the separation arrangement, that is, 16.8°C. In addition, an economic evaluation was presented. CCSSAHS can satisfy tremendous industrial and domestic needs. The internal finned heat exchanger, the core component of the solar air heater, can be recycled from damaged air condition devices. The present proposed design combines the principle of recycling and clean energy to preserve the environment.