Numerical problem-solar air heater

Calculate the rate of energy available and efficiency of a solar

tunnel drier as shown in the Figure. The tunnel drier is 1 m wide
and its heating section is 10 m long. The air velocity recorded by
anemometer at the end of heating section was recorded as 1 m
per sec. The inlet temperature at the suction of the fan was 25°C
and outlet temperature at the exit of the heater was recorded
as 45°C. The average solar irradiance recorded by
the Pyranometer during the experiment was
600 W/m2.

10 m
Cross-sectional area

110 mm

500 mm 60 mm

1m
 Solution- solar air heater

Absorber width= (0.5002+0.1102)0.5

= 0.512 m

10 m

110 mm

500 mm 60 mm

1m
Total cross-sectional area = 1*0.06 +1*0.110/2
= 0.060 +0.055
= 0.115 m2
 Solution- solar air heater

Given data
Length of heating section = 10 m
Width of drier =1m
Height of rectangular section = 60 mm
Height of triangular section = 110 mm
Inlet temperature = 25°C
Outlet temperature = 45°C
Total radiations (It) = 600 W m-2
 Calculations of solar air heater
Q`u = m`. Cp. ∆T

Q` = Heat flow rate, kW

m` = Mass flow rate, kg sec-1
Cp = Specific heat at constant pressure, kJ kg-1 K-1
∆T = Temperature difference, K

Q`u = V`. ρ . Cp .∆T

V` = Volumetric flow rate, m3 sec-1

ρ = Density, kg/m3

Q`u = A . v . ρ. Cp . ∆T

A = Cross sectional area, m2

v = Velocity, m sec-1
Calculations of solar air heater (cont,d)
ɳ = Q`u/G
ɳ = Efficiency
G = Total solar energy available per unit time, kW

G= It.Ac/1000
It = Total solar radiation, W/m2
Ac = Total collector area, m2
 Solution- solar air heater

Q`u = A.v.ρ.Cp. ∆T
= 0.115 *1*1.127*1.008* 20
= 2.61 kW
G = It.Ac/1000
= 600*(10*0.512*2)/1000
= 6.144 kW
ɳ = 100*Q`u/G
= 100*2.61/6.144
= 42.48 %
 Numerical problem-solar water heater
Calculate the system efficiency of a solar water heater having an area
of 1 m2. The water is flowing @ 100 l/hr, the inlet temperature 25°C and
outlet temperature is 30°C and the global radiation available are 850
W/m2.
Numerical problem-solar water heater
 Solution- solar water heater

Given data:
Collector area (Ac) = 1 m2
Water flow rate (m`) = 100 l/h
Inlet temperature (T1) = 25°C
Outlet temperature (T2) = 30°C
Specific heat of water (Cp) = 4.187kJ/(kg.K)
Global radiation (It) =850 W/m2
 Solution- solar water heater

Q’ = m’. Cp. ∆T
= (100/3600)*4.187*5
= 0.58 kW
G = It*Ac/1000
= 850*1/1000
= 0.85
Efficiency (ɳ) = 100* Q’ /G
Efficiency (ɳ) = 100*0.58/0.85
= 68.24 %
Numerical problem- solar concentrators

Calculate the power available in a solar cooker using a parabolidal

concentrator having diameter of 1 m. The receiver contains 10 liters of
water. It was recorded that the rise in temperature from 25°C to 55°C
was completed in one hour. Calculate also the efficiency of the solar
concentrator, the average beam radiations were recorded as 700 W/m2.
What should be the minimum diameter of the absorber required if the
geometric concentration ratio is 80.
Paraboloidal solar concentrators
 Solution-solar concentrators

Given data:
Diameter (d) =1m
Initial temperature = 25°C
Final temperature = 55°C
Quantity of water (m) = 10 liter
Beam radiations (Ib) = 700 W/m2
Time (t) =1h
Numerical problem- solar concentrators
Q’ = m. Cp. ΔT/t
=10* 4.187*30/3600
= 0.35 kW
Efficiency (ɳ) = 100*Q/Gb
G = Ib*Aa/1000
Aa = π d2/4
= 0.785 m2
Gb = 700* 0.785/1000
Gb = 0.55
Efficiency (ɳ) = 100*Q’/Gb
= 63 %
Minimum area (Aa) = 0.0098 m2
(Absorber)
Minimum diameter (d) = (0.0098. 4/3.14)0.5
= 11.17 cm