Modelling, dynamic simulation and parametric studies of double pass solar air heater for solar drying application

Abstract

Solar air heater (SAH) is an integral component of many solar energy systems which converts the incident solar irradiation into thermal energy by air flowing through it. The present study addresses the modelling and simulation of dynamic performance of a double-pass SAH and predicts the effect of different geometric and operating parameters on the performance of air heater. Mathematical models are developed from the first principles to simulate the dynamic performance of the air heater. The number of glazings, nature of absorber plate and aperture height are the different geometric parameters and mass flow rate is the operating parameter considered to conduct the parametric study in the present work. Simulation predictions infer that the optimum performance of the air heater is obtained for double glazing V-corrugated absorber geometry when aperture height and mass flow rate are 0.05m and 0.025kg/s, respectively. The peak plate temperature, exit temperature and efficiency of the heater are predicted for optimum condition as 353.47 K, 346.23 K and 85.50%, respectively. Further, the performance of the heater for different mass flow rates is simulated.