Computational fluid dynamics based numerical study to determine the performance of triangular solar air heater duct having perforated baffles in V-down pattern mounted underneath absorber plate

Abstract

In the current analysis, the effect of perforated baffles in V-down pattern as artificial roughness on the thermal and hydraulic response of a solar air heater having equilateral triangular passage has been examined. A thorough numerical investigation has been done using ANSYS FLUENT-19.0. Effect of change in roughness parameters, viz., baffle height (e) and open area ratio (β) on thermo-hydraulic performance has been explored. Flow Reynolds number is systematically varied. Study reveals that upon varying the baffle height from 5 mm to 11 mm and open area ratio from 20% to 29%, maximum heat transfer rate is attained at e = 9 mm and β = 20%, respectively. Axial Velocity and Turbulence Kinetic Energy have been plotted for clear view of change in variables. Also, the correlations have been developed for Nusselt number and Friction factor. The thermo-hydraulic performance factor of proposed perforated baffle geometry has been observed to be 2.54 at e = 9 mm and β = 20%. Performance of the SAH with suggested roughness is found to be advantageous than other type of roughness elements studied in recent times.