Thermodynamic analysis of an air solar collector. (19th September 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luminosu, Ioan; Fara, Laurentiu
• Is Part Of: International journal of exergy. Volume 2:Number 4(2005)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2005-09-19
• Subjects: energy analysis -- entropy -- exergy analysis -- exergy efficiency -- irreversibility -- solar installation -- air solar collectors -- thermodynamics -- fluid flow rate -- air flow rate -- Romania -- solar energy -- solar power -- heating -- exergy efficiency; Exergy -- Periodicals; 621.402105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-8297

Abstract

The paper presents the experimental study of an air solar installation with a collecting area AC = 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, ηex:max = 0:197.