Comparative CFD Analysis of Different Absorber Materials for Solar Air Heater

Abstract

In this paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of Single pass, Single glazed, foldable cum portable solar air heater is performed using Ansys Fluent and the obtained results are validated with experimental results. Ansys Fluent software was used to numerically solve the fluid flow, heat transfer, and radiation equations. Important parameters like outlet air temperature, absorber plate temperature, outlet air velocity and mass flow rate are evaluated. RNG k-ɛ turbulence model with standard wall function and DTRM solar load model were used and the simulation results have been validated with the results of experimental study performed in February 2017 at the location of Dhule (Maharashtra). During the CFD analysis outlet air temperature, temperature rise and outlet velocity has been determined. Simulation results closely agree with experimental results with slight errors due to isotropic material and uniform flow considerations. Validation of the results forms the base for further performance optimization of the current Solar Air Heater (SAH) model. After validation of results for polyester absorber, numerical models for metal absorbers are developed and their results are compared with non-metal absorber.

Keywords: Solar Air Heater, CFD, Fluent, RNG k-ɛ Model, DTRM Model, Performance Optimization, Single Glazing