Thermodynamic analysis of an air solar collector
by Ioan Luminosu, Laurentiu Fara
International Journal of Exergy (IJEX), Vol. 2, No. 4, 2005

Abstract: The paper presents the experimental study of an air solar installation with a collecting area A_C = 4.2m² and variable working fluid flow rate in the range 0.02÷0.06 kg/s. The experimental data are processed statistically through thermodynamic analysis, using energy (semi-empirical) and exergy methods. The aim of the paper is to establish the optimal air flow rate through this solar thermal system in order to ensure minimum irreversibility of the collecting-heating-cooling process under Romania's insolation conditions. The paper is also a demonstrative example of cost-effective and efficient use of solar energy for heating in Romania. It is experimentally proven that for this solar installation, the optimum air flow rate is of 0.04 kg/s. At a flow rate of 0.04 kg/s, irreversibility has the lowest values for all daytime hours with a maximum at noon (2640 W). For this flow rate the exergy efficiency reaches the highest value, η_ex:max = 0:197.

Online publication date: Fri, 16-Sep-2005

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