Computer Simulation for Design Configuration and Optimization Performance of Flat Plate Collectors Case Study for Ifrane, Morocco

Abstract

AbstractFeasibility study and efficiency assessments are mandatory prior to installing flat plate collectors. It is very useful to evaluate the performance of flat plate collectors depending on the location and environment they are set in. A model that predicts the performance of flat plate collectors, calculates the exact size of collectors needed to heat an amount of water to a specific temperature, and also gives the optimal tilt angle for the collector, has been developed and implemented in the scope of this project and presented in this paper. An analysis of both the configuration of the collector and intensity of solar radiation in the concerned area is used in the calculations for maximum efficiency and minimum costs. The computer program allows the user to investigate the different design parameters and configurations for optimal performance. It also enables the user to calculate the optimal tilt angle for the collector and the optimal size for collectors needed to heat a specific amount of water. According to the results obtained from this study, flat plate collector tilted at an optimum angle can increase the intensity of the global solar radiation received by 12.62 % in the same location with no extra cost. The program simulation is practical and can forecast the performance of flat plate collectors at a high degree of accuracy. To test the validity of the simulation a study of flat plate collectors installed at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, has been performed. The 60 installed collectors tilted at 45° were found not achieving maximum solar energy collection. The optimal tilt angle for the location, as established by the computer simulation as well as using manual calculations for the daily, monthly and seasonally average optimal tilt angle, corresponds to plate collectors inclined at 32°. Moreover, only 48 collectors would be needed to heat the same amount of water to the same outlet temperature instead of the 60 used currently. These results illustrate the usefulness of the computer simulation analysis before choosing a design, configuration and installation for the flat plate collectors system.KeywordsFlat plate collectorsEfficiencySolar radiatonOptimal performanceComputer simulationOptimal tilt angle