Numerical analysis of pentagonal ribbed absorber plate of solar air collector in an indirect solar dryer for enhanced performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT A 2D analysis of the solar air collector of an indirect solar dryer with pentagonal corrugation on the absorber plate was carried out using ANSYS Fluent 16.0 to enhance the performance. SIMPLE algorithm and RNG k-ε model were used for resolving the governing expressions. Corrugation pitch (p), height (e), angle (α) and Reynolds number (Re) were considered as design parameters for the analysis. The p was varied from 50 to 175 mm and an optimized p value was proposed. The Re range used was 1800 15,000. The velocity, velocity vector, and turbulent kinetic energy were presented. Performance characteristics such as Nusselt number (Nu), friction factor (f), Nu ratio, f ratio and thermo-hydraulic performance parameter (T hpp ) were determined and compared for different p and Re. The Nu ratio obtained was 1.81–2.88 and it was proved that corrugation gives a maximum of 2.88 times heat transfer enhancement than a flat plate. Maximum T hpp was found to be 1.748 and was obtained at p = 150 mm and low Re (1800). The proposed optimum pitch was 150 mm (relative roughness pitch, p/e of 15). The outcomes of the present analysis were validated with existing publications and found that the results are comparable.