Investigation of heat transfer and friction characteristics of solar air heater through an array of submerged impinging jets

Abstract

This research focuses on experimental and computational analysis of enhancement in thermal performance of a solar air heater with submerged impinging jets (SAHSIJ). The Application of submerged pipe jets generates a high impinging velocity and induces a significant degree of turbulence at the absorber plate, leading to elevated heat removal rates. This research investigates the effect of change in geometric parameters such as jet spacing ratio (Sj/Dh) from 0.108 to 0.433 at various jet angles (α) from 75° to 90° on the Nusselt number and frictional characteristics to improve the overall thermo-hydraulic performance parameter (THPP) of the system. The results obtained from SAHSIJ are compared with those of a smooth duct to determine the effectiveness in terms of the thermo-hydraulic performances parameter (THPP) of the system. It is found that the novel submerged pipe jet configuration in better in extracting heat from the absorber plate than the orifice jet and smooth duct solar air heater.