Performance enhancement of solar air heater using artificial roughness

Abstract

The solar air heater (SAH) is a widely used solar energy collection device for various applications, such as drying agricultural goods, room heating, timber seasoning, and industrial item curing. Among all solar energy collection devices, SAH is the most cost-effective. One effective method to enhance heat transfer to the fluid flowing through the duct of a SAH is to use a surface that is artificially roughened. Over the past four decades, researchers have been studying the utilization of artificial roughness in SAHs. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of different types of roughness geometry that can be employed to produce artificial roughness in SAHs for improving their efficiency. The study reviews various rib shapes and their heat transfer qualities, and suggests that a combination of distinct rib forms can improve SAH's thermal performance.