Simulation of a double-pass solar air collector for radiation effects using computational fluid dynamics (cfd)
1 Laboratory of Mechanical Modeling, Energy and Materials (M2EM), UR17ES47, National School of Engineers of Gabes (ENIG), University of Gabes, Avenue of Omar Ib-Elkhattab, Zrig 6023, Gabes, Tunisia
2 National Engineering School of Gabes (ENIG), Research Laboratory Processes, Energetics Environment and Electrical Systems , Gabes University, Omar Ibn Kattab ZRIG, Gabes, 6029, Tunisia
3 Centre de D veloppement des Energies Renouvelables, CDER, BP. 62 Route de l Observatoire Bouzar ah, 16340, Alger, Alg rie
4 Thermal Energy Division, CDER, BP. 62 Route de l Observatoire Bouzar ah, 16340, Alger, Alg rie
5 Engineering Sciences, Tecnol gico Nacional de M xico IT Ciudad Ju rez, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
6 Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Technology Faculty, Mugla Sitki Ko man University, 48000 Mentese, Mugla, Turkey
7 The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, PR China
8 Thermo-Fluids Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khazar University, Baku, AZ, Azerbaijan
2 National Engineering School of Gabes (ENIG), Research Laboratory Processes, Energetics Environment and Electrical Systems , Gabes University, Omar Ibn Kattab ZRIG, Gabes, 6029, Tunisia
3 Centre de D veloppement des Energies Renouvelables, CDER, BP. 62 Route de l Observatoire Bouzar ah, 16340, Alger, Alg rie
4 Thermal Energy Division, CDER, BP. 62 Route de l Observatoire Bouzar ah, 16340, Alger, Alg rie
5 Engineering Sciences, Tecnol gico Nacional de M xico IT Ciudad Ju rez, Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
6 Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Technology Faculty, Mugla Sitki Ko man University, 48000 Mentese, Mugla, Turkey
7 The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, PR China
8 Thermo-Fluids Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khazar University, Baku, AZ, Azerbaijan
Abstract
This research provides an in-depth analysis of solar radiation's impact on the thermal efficiency of a solar air collector. Using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent, the study examines temperature distribution and airflow dynamics within the collector across varying levels of solar radiation. The simulations were carefully configured to replicate real-world solar radiation conditions, ranging from 680 W/m to 1220 W/m , enabling a precise evaluation of the collector s performance under different environmental conditions. Results indicate that at the lowest radiation level (680 W/m ), the collector s outlet air temperature reached a peak of 26 C, increasing progressively to a maximum of 29 C at 1220 W/m . Temperature patterns varied with radiation intensity, especially at the start of the collector's second pass, where temperatures rose from 30 C at the lowest radiation level to 34 C at the highest. Thermal efficiency calculations for each radiation level reveal that efficiency increases with radiation intensity, peaking at 26.25% at 1220 W/m . These findings highlight the effectiveness of the collector s design in heat absorption and retention, particularly in the second pass, indicating potential opportunities for enhancing solar air collector designs in the future.
Keywords
CFD; double pass; radiation effect; solar air collector; solar energy