Performance optimization of flat plate solar collector through the integration of different slats arrangements made of transparent insulation material

Abstract

Concerns about sustainability of solar energy have resulted in continuous efforts to improve the performance of flat plate solar air collector. The most advanced collector must provide the highest thermal efficiency and satisfy strict requirements for low weight, ease of manufacture and low cost. The purpose of this new study is to examine potential improvements in the performance of flat plate solar air collector. An innovative facade collector, with transparent insulation material (TIM) parallel slats is presented. A numerical modelling of new designed solar air collector was conducted. The performance of this collector was investigated using a three-dimension simulation model, following steady state. Thermal, thermo-hydraulic and exergy efficiencies of the collector containing (TIM-PS) system with different slats; number, height, materials, as well as the slats tilt angle and collector tilt angle (0°,30°,45°,90°) are studied. The CFD predictions show that, the incorporation of TIM-PS decreases the thermal losses, leading to higher efficiencies. This study has realized the most promising and most efficiently optimized design of the 45° tilted collector equipped with 6 TIM-PS tilted by −45°, this new FPC is capable of achieving 81% thermal efficiency. The new design presented in this study, deserves further exploitation as it seems to be a promising alternative for increasing thermal efficiency with a low cost and weight. It could be used in industrial and domestic applications.