Comparison of solar water heater performance with u curved pipes and straight pipes design using CFD

Abstract

Solar energy has a very important role from time to time. In this era, the development of technology that uses the sun as a primary source is growing rapidly. One application of solar energy in solar water heaters. Solar Water Heater is a device that uses energy from the sun’s heat to heat the fluid air flowing in the Pipe so that the temperature of the fluid that comes out of the Pipe is higher. Pipes are one of the most important parts of solar water heaters. Pipes as a medium for fluid flow and heat transfer from the collector domain to air fluid. Pipe design is an important factor in the design of solar collectors. In this research, we will discuss the performance of 2 types of pipes. The first straight pipe type and the second pipe type U Curved Pipes. With CFD simulation methods and variations in fluid flow velocity, the results of changes in fluid temperature of the fluid coming out differ from the 2 types of pipes. The increase in temperature seen in liquid air in the pipe faces 0.9425% compared to straight pipes.