Optimisation of design parameters in solar air heater channel with right-angle triangular inserts using the Taguchi approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Taguchi approach is used to uncover the optimal values of design parameters in solar air heater (SAH) channels with right-angle triangular shape inserts. The outcome of the design parameters, such as Reynolds number, relative roughness height and relative roughness pitch on thermo-hydraulic performance of roughened SAH channel, is investigated. Taguchi orthogonal array test arrangement (L18) is selected to optimise the design parameters. The performance characteristics evaluated by the Taguchi method are Nusselt number (Nu), friction factor (f) and thermohydraulic performance parameter (η). The statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was executed using the Minitab software to determine the contribution of each effective parameter for attaining the process outcome. For the Nusselt number and friction factor, according to the Taguchi analysis, the Reynolds number emerges as the most effective parameter while relative roughness height is the most effective parameter for thermo-hydraulic performance. Experimental confirmation tests are conducted to validate the suitability of the Taguchi approach. It is observed that the predictions and results noted from experiments show a close match for all the performance characteristics.