Download full-textRecruit

PDF researchers Download

Join for free Login
citation Copy link

Article PDF Available

ANSYS Fluent CFD Modeling of Solar Air-Heater Thermoaerodynamics

April 2018 · Applied Solar Energy 54(1)
DOI:10.3103/S0003701X18010103
Authors:

Dmitry Pashchenko
Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Citations (36) References (22)

Abstract

Numerical modeling of thermal and aerodynamic processes taking place in a solar air
heater with light-absorbing L-shaped fins is performed. The study is carried out by means Discover the world's
research
of an ANSYS Fluent Solver with an integrated solar calculator for the city of Samara,
Russia. The influence of the design (the step between the fins) and technological variables
25+ million
(the Reynolds number) on heat-exchange processes and flow aerodynamics was members
established during the CFD analysis. Pictorial contours are determined for the velocity
distribution, pressure, and other characteristics of the airflow in the solar air-heater box. 160+ million
Thermoaerodynamic characteristics and effective values of technological parameters for publication
the effective use of a solar air heater are studied. The maximum thermoaerodynamic pages
characteristic for the solar air heater with a finned lightabsorbing surface is 1.91 for Re = 2.3+ billion Join for free
1500, and the minimum test fin pitch is 30 mm. citations

Public Full-text 1

Content uploaded by Dmitry Pashchenko Author content

Content may be subject to copyright.

ISSN 0003-701X, Applied Solar Energy, 2018, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 32–39. © Allerton Press, Inc., 2018.
Original Russian Text © D.I. Pashchenko, 2018, published in Geliotekhnika, 2018, No. 1, pp. 37–47.

SOLAR POWER PLANTS

AND THEIR APPLICATION

ANSYS Fluent CFD Modeling of Solar Air-Heater

Thermoaerodynamics
D. I. Pashchenko
Samara State Technical University, Samara, 443100 Russia
e-mail: [email protected]
Received March 27, 2017

Abstract—Numerical modeling of thermal and aerodynamic processes taking place in a solar air heater with
light-absorbing L-shaped f ins is performed. The study is carried out by means of an ANSYS Fluent Solver
with an integrated solar calculator for the city of Samara, Russia. The inf luence of the design (the step
between the fins) and technological variables (the Reynolds number) on heat-exchange processes and f low
aerodynamics was established during the CFD analysis. Pictorial contours are determined for the velocity
distribution, pressure, and other characteristics of the airf low in the solar air-heater box. Thermoaerody-
namic characteristics and effective values of technological parameters for the effective use of a solar air heater
are studied. The maximum thermoaerodynamic characteristic for the solar air heater with a finned light-
 absorbing surface is 1.91 for Re = 1500, and the minimum test fin pitch is 30 mm.
Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link
DOI: 10.3103/S0003701X18010103

INTRODUCTION by 18–23% for different conditions. Finning has been

Every year, the use of solar energy increases. From studied as a technique increasing the heat-transfe
2005 to 2015 the amount of useful solar energy coefficient in a solar air heater [11]. These publication
increased from 3.7 to 236.7 TWh [1]. Various devices show that the creation of artificial roughness on th
are used to convert solar radiation into useful energy— lower side of a light-absorbing surface contributes t
photoelectric panels [2–4], solar collectors [5, 6], heat-transfer enhancement, but causes frictiona
solar air heaters [7, 8], and so on. losses in the channel. Therefore, the optimal fin an
Solar air heaters (SAHs) are widely used in small- stud configuration for eff icient solar air-heater perfor
scale power industry because of their simplicity of mance needs to be found.
construction, low capital cost, and reliability of equip- With the development of computational modelin
ment. They are used not only for heating, but also for of hydro- and aerodynamic processes (CFD model
drying agricultural products, heating residential and ing), the search for optimal channel designs and thei
nonresidential premises, drying wood, etc. In a rect- surfaces has been greatly simplified. A computationa
angular channel of a solar air heater, solar radiation, analysis of various rough surfaces was carried out in
impinging on a dark light-absorbing surface, heats it, [12] and determined the optimum geometry of an ai
and the heated surface transfers the heat to the con- heater that was studied experimentally after CFD
vected air moving in the channel. The heat-transfer modeling.
coefficient between the heated light-absorbing surface
and the working medium is extremely low in this air This paper presents a numerical study of the ther
heater, which leads to a decrease in the SAH effi- moaerodynamic performance of a solar air heater th
ciency. To increase the SAH efficiency, standard light-absorbing surface of which has modified rectan
methods of heat transfer enhancement are used [9]— gular L-shaped f ins. The objective of the investigation
studding, f inning, etc.—which in turn cause increased is to study the effect of the relative roughness pitch an
aerodynamic resistance of the duct. air velocity on the heat exchange and f low aerody
Researchers have proposed various geometric namics, as well as to determine the optimal location o
shapes of the light-absorbing surface to enhance heat L-shaped f ins to maximize heat transfer and minimiz
transfer. An experimental investigation of SAH ther- aerodynamic drag. Using the developed model, tech
mal performance performed by M.K. Gupta et al. nological and design parameters of the solar air heate
[10], showed that the use of a metal mesh, which cre- were determined providing the maximum therma
ates roughness of the light-absorbing surface, efficiency. The study was performed using ANSY
increases the efficiency compared to a smooth surface Fluent adjoint solver.

32

ANSYS FLUENT CFD MODELING OF SOLAR AIR-HEATER THERMOAERODYNAMICS 3

150 1000 150

600

Inlet Outlet

40
20

40

I II III
200

Fig. 1. Computational domain: (I) air-inlet zone, (II) heat-exchange zone, and (III) outlet zone.

CFD MODELING CFD GRID

The problem is solved in a three-dimensional CFD Creation of a computational grid is performed i
grid. It is assumed that the gravitational and magnetic the ANSYS Meshing module. To improve the perfor
mance quality, a СFD grid was constructed near th
fields of the Earth are ignored, the airf low is single-
walls of the absorbing surface. Using standard “sizing
phase and incompressible, and the airf low is stable
and “inf lation” functions, a wall boundary layer wit
and steady-state. It is also believed that the side shell
a thickness of 5 mm was created. A structure of th
of the solar air heater is thermally perfect and there is
 no heat loss through the f iller
Download full-text PDF
structure. Low density CFD
citation low velocity,Copytotal
grid for a 40-mm fin pitch is shown in Fig. 2. Th
link number of grid elements is 1086 80 6.
of heat-transfer f luid andDownload
its relatively
which is close to the natural convection velocity, are A check of the grid quality showed the absence o
thermal features of solar air heaters [13]. Because of elements with negative computational mesh area an
this, it is possible to use s implified thermal models orthogonality in the range from 0 to 1, which indicate
describing the thermophysical processes of an SAH. high quality of the grid.
However, the used technique makes it possible solve such
problems quite accurately without additional assump- MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION
tions and computing costs. The main stages of the CFD
modeling are described in the relevant sections. A mathematical description of the model generall
has the form of a system of equations consisting o
continuity equations, the law of conservation o
COMPUTATIONAL DOMAIN momentum, and the law of conservation of energy. T
simulate the airf low dynamics, the Navier–Stoke
The geometric characteristics of the computational equations are used closed by the standard k–ε turbu
domain are shown in Fig. 1. The air channel of the lence model [14, 15].
solar air heater is divided into three zones: an inlet The continuity equation is:
zone, a heat exchange zone and an outlet zone,
∂ ρu = 0,
respectively. It is believed that the airflow rate in each ( i) (1
elementary section of the inlet zone is constant and ∂ xi
uniform. The height and width of the fins are 40 mm, where ρ is air density, kg/m3, and u is velocity, m/s.
and the f in has a distinctive L-shaped appearance. The momentum-conservation equation is
The values of thermophysical air properties are taken
from the built-in Fluent Database. The Reynolds num- ∂ ρu u = − ∂p + ∂ ⎡μ ⎛∂ ui + ∂u j ⎞⎤
ber varies in the range from 4000 to 20000. The compu- ( i j) ⎢ ⎜ ⎟⎥
tation is performed for various fin configurations. Fin ∂xi ∂xi ∂x j ⎣ ⎝∂x j ∂xi ⎠⎦
(2
∂
pitches of 30, 40, 50, and 60 mm are considered. + (−ρuiu j ),
∂x j
To create the design geometric parameters, the
ANSYS DesignModeler module was used. where μ is a dynamic coefficient of viscosity, Pa s.

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

34 PASHCHENKO

(a)

0 100 200 300 400 mm

(b)

Fig. 2. Structure of the CFD grid: (a) appearance of the CFD grid of the air channel; (b) boundar y layer near the fin surface.

The heat-balance equation is (a) geographical coordinates;

∂ ρu Т = ∂ ⎡ а + а ∂Т ⎤, (b) date and time of the simulation exercise;

( j ) ⎢( t) ⎥ (3)
∂x i ∂x j ⎣ ∂x j ⎦ (с) level angle of the solar air heater to the ground
where a and at are molecular and turbulent thermal surface; and
diffusivity, respectively, m2/s, and T is temperature, K. (d) atmospheric transmission factor (sunshine fac
The initial and boundary temperature conditions tor).
are as follows:
To solve the system of differential equation
Тin ( t = 0) = Тla ( t = 0) = Тg ( t = 0) = Тe (t = 0) , (4) describing heat- and mass-transfer processes, a sec
 ond-order upwind scheme is used. A convergence cri
∂Т in PDF
Download full-text 0, ∂Т g 0, ∂Тcitation
Download la
0, Copyterion
link is chosen on the basis of considerations of min
∂х х= 0 ∂х х= Н == ∂х х= 0 = (5) imizing computational calculations and amounted t
∂Т la 10–3. The number of iterations is 1000. The conver
= 0,
∂ х х =Н gence of the solution for various conditions is achieve
where Тin, Тla, Тg, and Тe are air temperatures at the in the range from 700 to 900 iterations.
inlet to the heater, light-absorbing surface, glass, and
environment, respectively, K.

FLUENT SOLVER SETTINGS

The problem has a steady state solution; the solver
is pressure-based. To determine the heat transfer
between the light-absorbing surface and the air, the
heat balance equation (Energy-on) is used. The
Navier–Stokes equation is closed by the standard k–ε
model with improved wall functions to improve the
quality of boundary-layer computation (Fig. 3).
The quantity of solar radiation is calculated using
the ANSYS Solar Calculator, which allows obtaining
the intensity of solar radiation depending on the fol-
lowing parameters [16]: Fig. 3. Solar-calculator home screen.

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

ANSYS FLUENT CFD MODELING OF SOLAR AIR-HEATER THERMOAERODYNAMICS 3

(a) (b)
60
Roughness coecient 10–3, 

CFD modeling CFD modeling

Experiment [16] 12 Experiment [17]
50
Nusselt number, Nu

40 10

30
8
20

10 6
5 10 15 20 5 10 15 20
Reynolds number 104, Re Reynolds number 104, Re

Fig. 4. Comparison of experimental data and the results of CFD modeling for the smooth light-absorbing surface (unfinned).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION olds number Re = 1200 for a light-absorbing surfac

with a 40-mm fin pitch. Similar contours wer
To verify the results obtained using the CFD obtained for the remaining fin pitches in question–30
model, thermal and aerodynamic characteristics of a 50, and 60 mm. For all the surfaces under study, an
smooth (unf inned) surface were compared with the L-shaped fin creates additional vortices that enhance th
results of a physical experiment performed by Fox et heat exchange between the surface and the heated air.
al. [17]. Figure 4a shows the dependence of the Nusselt
number on the Reynolds number for the data obtained The nature of the vortices formed behind the firs
by the CFD model described in point 2 of this pap er five f ins located along the airflow is shown in Fig. 6
and the results obtained in the physical experiment Due to a frontal airf low impact, a separate flow i
[17]. Also for model verification, the dependences formed behind the f irst fin, which does not have a sig
obtained analytically [18] were compared with data nificant effect on the heat transfer. Further on, th
obtained from the developed model. From the pre- f low stabilizes and stable vortices are formed in th
sented dependences, a good convergence is evident of interfin region, full development of which occurs afte
the data obtained by computer simulation with the the passage of the four th fin.
results of the physical experiment and the analytical The presence of L-shaped f ins on the light-absorb
solution, which indicates the correctly chosen settings ing surface destroys the boundary layer. Therefore, a
of the Fluent Solver, such as the turbulence model, increase in the turbulence kinetic energy is observed
solution scheme, convergence criterion, etc. A turbulence kinetic-energy contour obtained with th
In general, the adequacy of the developed com- CFD model is shown in Fig. 7. The turbulence kineti
puter SAH model to a real solar air heater was shown: energy is a turbulence force in the airflow f ield.
the behavior of the model quite accurately coincides The kinetic-energy contour makes it possible to
with the behavior of the simulated object under the understand the effect of the artif icially created surfac
 same simulation conditions, and the model is con- roughness by L-shaped f ins on the intensity of hea
vincingly
Download full-textpresented
PDF with respect to the
Download SAH propertiesCopyexchange
citation link between the surface and air. The contour i
predicted by the model. The paper considers the aver- Fig. 7 shows that the maximum value of the kineti
age Reynolds numbers corresponding to the airf low in energy is observed near the light-absorbing surfac
the box of the solar air heater, dimensions of which are between the fins, and then it decreases with an
shown in Fig. 1: Re = 400, 600, 800, 1200, and 1600. increase in the distance from the surface. Thus, th
The k–ε turbulence model is used in th e num erical presence of L-shaped f ins significantly enhances heat
study, which yields equally accurate results for a wide exchange processes near the light-absorbing surface.
range of Reynolds numbers [20].
HEAT EXCHANGE
AERODYNAMICS
The main purpose of L -shaped fins on a light
Figure 5 shows a pictorial airflow-velocity contour absorbing surface is to enhance the heat exchang
for the finned surface, a schematic view of which is between the surface and the airf low. The contours in
shown in Fig. 1. The contour shows the distribution of Figs. 5–7 show the factors of gas-f low turbulence
air velocity in the channel cross section for the Reyn- Figure 8 shows the dependence of the Nusselt numbe

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

36 PASHCHENKO

Velocity contour 1
8.555e–1
8.020e–1
7.485e–1
6.951e–1
6.416e–1
5.881e–1
5.347e–1
4.812e–1
4.277e–1
3.743e–1
3.208e–1
2.673e–1
2.139e–1
1.604e–1
1.069e–1
5.347e–2
0.000e+0
[m s–1]

Fig. 5. Airf low-velocity contour for the surface with a 40-mm fin pitch for Reynolds number Re = 1200.

Fig. 6. Vector field of the airf low velocity for the fir st five fins with a pitch of 40 mm along the airf low, Re = 1200.

on the Reynolds number for light-absorbing surfaces Figure 9 shows the dependence of the air tempera
with different fin pitches obtained by the developed ture drop at the inlet and outlet of the solar heater fo
model for various Reynolds numbers 400 > Re> 2000. various shapes of the light-absorbing surface durin
the day. As initial data for the analysis of the inf luenc
It can be seen from Fig. 8 that the presence of fins of these parameters on the air heating value, the fol
significantly increases the heat exchange between the lowing values were used: date March 20, 2017; Samar
light-absorbing surface and the airf low in comparison (GMT + 4); absolutely clear sky (sunshine factor = 1)
with a smooth (unf inned) surface. Thus, for a 40-mm Re = 800; level angle of the solar air heater to th
ground surface α = 60°.
fin pitch, the Nusselt number increases by more than
three times compared to a smooth surface. Figure 8 From Fig. 9 it can be seen that the maximum ai
heating is observed in the interval between 1 and 2 pm
also shows that the average Nusselt number increases This is because the angle cosin e between the sunbeam
with the increase of the f in pitch. This is because the and the SAH surface at this time has the maximum
increase in the distance between the fins leads to a value for the middle of the spring in Samara. The max
decrease in the kinetic energy of the turbulent flow. imum air heating value of 25.4°C is achieved for th

Turbulence kinetic energy

Contour 1
4.318e+0
3.958e+0
3.598e+0
3.238e+0
2.879e+0
 2.519e+0
2.159e+0
Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link 1.799e+0
1.440e+0
1.080e+0
7.200e–1
3.602e–1
4.149e–4
[J kg–1]

Fig. 7. Contour of the air-f low-turbulence kinetic energy for the surface with a fin pitch of 40 mm, Re = 1200.

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

ANSYS FLUENT CFD MODELING OF SOLAR AIR-HEATER THERMOAERODYNAMICS 3

(a) (b)
50 Unfinned 50 Re = 2000
30 mm Re = 1600
40 mm Re = 1200
40 40
Nusselt number, Nu

Nusselt number, Nu
50 mm Re = 800
60 mm Re = 400
30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
5 10 15 20 30 40 50 60
Reynolds number ×103, Re Pitch, mm

Fig. 8. Variation of the Nusselt number with the Reynolds number for various fin pitches.

minimum inlet air velocity and the minimum 30-mm where ΔР is pressure losses in SAH, Pa; L is a charac
test pitch. teristic length, m; deqv is an equivalent diameter, m
ρ is air density, kg/m3; and u is air velocity, m/s.
According to Fig. 10, th e L-shaped f in setting on
ROUGHNESS COEFFICIENT light-absorbing surface of a solar heater creates a
additional roughness that destroys the laminar wal
One of the main parameters taking into account layer. This leads to the appearance of extra aerody
the efficiency of using the f inned light-absorbing sur- namic resistance and, as a result, to a signif ican
face is a roughness coeff icient. Figure 10 shows a increase in the roughness coeff icient in comp arison
graph of variance of the friction coefficient for a with a smooth surface. So for Re = 8000, the rough
finned light-ab sorbing surface having a different pitch ness coefficient is 3.8–4.2 times higher for differen
and for a smooth surface. The friction coefficient in fin pitches than for a smooth (unf inned) surface. A
increase in the Reynolds number causes suppression
the present CFD experiment is determined from the of the laminar sublayer and, consequently, the value o
Darcy–Weisbach formula [19, 20]: the roughness coeff icient decreases with an increase in
the Reynolds number, as shown in Fig. 10b. As dis
ΔР
λ= , (6) cussed above, the increase in the Reynolds numbe
L u2 increases the turbulence intensity and, as a result, th
ρ heat exchange grows with a smaller value of the fric
d eqv 2
tion coefficient.
A pressure contour obtained with the CFD analysi
30 for Re = 1200 and a 40-mm fin pitch is shown in Fig. 11
30 mm Figure 11 shows that the maximum aerodynami
Temperature variation, C

40 mm
resistance along the airf low is offered by a fin. Mini
50 mm
60 mm mization of this resistance is possible du e to the use o
20 a fir st fin of another shape, for example, an L-shap e
fin, inverted in the airf low direction.

10 THERMOAERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTIC
It was found in the CFD study that was carried ou
that the artificial roughness in the form of additiona
0 fins on a light-abs orbing surface greatly enhances th
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 heat exchange between th e wall and the heated ai
Time, h Nevertheless, the additional roughness leads to highe
aerodynamic resistance and, as a consequence, to a
 Fig. 9. Air-temperature variation during the day for differ- increase in the energy consumption for air pumpin
Downloadent light-absorbing
full-text PDF surfaces. Download citation Copythrough
link the SAH air channel. Therefore, for an objec
APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

38 PASHCHENKO

(a) (b)
50 Unfinned 40
Roughness coecient 10–2, 

Roughness coecient 10–2, 

60 mm
50 mm
40 40 mm 30
30 mm
30
20
20 Re = 4000
Re = 8000
10 Re = 12000
10
Re =16000
Re =20 000
0 0
5 10 15 20 30 40 50 60
Reynolds number 103, Re Pitch, mm
Fig. 10. Inf luence of Reynolds number on roughness coefficient for various fin-pitch values.

Pressure contour 1
2.334e+1
1.833e+1
1.331e+1
8.298e+0
3.284e+0
–1.731e+0
–6.745e+0
–1.176e+1
–1.677e+1
–2.179e+1
–2.680e+1
–3.182e+1
–3.683e+1
[Pa]
Fig. 11. Pressure contour in the air channel of the solar air heater for Re = 1200 and a 40-mm f in pitch.

tive analysis, it is necessary to evaluate a generalized increase in the Reynolds number is usually associate
thermoaerodynamic characteristic of the simulated air with an increase in airf low velocity, which has a signif
heater, and not only thermal and aerodynamic ones. icant effect on the roughness coefficient in accordanc
A characteristic of the system based on the interre- with relationship (7).
lation between thermal and aerodynamic parameters
is called a “thermoaerodynamic” characteristic, for 2.0
which quantitative evaluation of which the following 60 mm
expression is used [21]: 50 mm
Thermoaerodynamic characteristic

40 mm
Nu Nu uf
. η= (7) 1.9
30 mm
f uf ) (f
1/3

The change in the thermoaerodynamic character-

istic for various fin pitches and Reynolds-number
variables is shown in Fig. 12. 1.8
From the dependences in Fig. 12 obtained in the
numerical simulation, it was established that the value
of the thermoaerodynamic characteristic varies
between 1.62 and 1.91 in the range of the parameters 1.7
under study. It is apparent from Fig. 12 that the ther-
moaerodynamic characteristic has a maximum value
for the 30-mm fin pitch at Reynolds number Re = 1500.
The minimum value of the thermoaerodynamic charac- 1.6
teristic is observed for the 60-mm fin pitch. Fig. 12 also 5 10 15 20
shows that an increase in Reynolds number Re > 1500 Reynolds number 103, Re
leads to a significant decrease in the thermoaerody- Fig. 12. Dependence of the thermoaerodynamic charac-
namic characteristic. This is due to the fact that an teristic on the Reynolds number for various fin pitches.

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link

ANSYS FLUENT CFD MODELING OF SOLAR AIR-HEATER THERMOAERODYNAMICS 3

CONCLUSIONS 5. Maiorov, V.A . and Trushevskii, S.N., Study of therma

characteristics of a heating module with paraboli
Numerical modeling was performed of the pro- trough concentrator and linear wedge-like photoelec
cesses taking place in a solar air heater the light- tric receiver, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2016, vol. 52, no. 4
absorbing surface of which has an artificial L-shaped pp. 290–294.
finned roughness. The simulation was carried out using 6. Avezova, N.R. and Avezov, R.R., A proced ure fo
an ANSYS Fluent Solver with an integrated Solar calcu- accelerated determination of main heat engineerin
lator. The influence of the design (fin pitch) and techno- parameters of f lat-plate solar collectors for heating of
logical variables (the Reynolds number) on the heat- heat transfer fluid, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2016, vol. 52
no. 2, pp. 93–96.
exchange and flow aerodynamic processes was estab-
7. Abbasov, E.S., Umurzakova, M.A., and Boltoboeva, M.P
lished in the CFD analysis. The velocity distribution, Efficiency of solar air heaters, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2016
pressure, contours and other characteristics of the air- vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 97–99.
flow in the solar air-heater box were obtained. 8. Khairnasov, S.M. and Naumova, A.M., Heat pipe
It was established that the average Nusselt number application to solar energy systems, Appl. Sol. Energy
increases with a decrease of the fin pitch. On average, 2016, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 47–60.
for various values of the Reynolds number, the Nusselt 9. Bopche, S.B. and Tandale, M.S., Experimental inves
number for the 30-mm pitch is 5–7% greater than the tigation on heat transfer and frictional characteristics o
Nusselt number obtained for the 60-mm pitch. a turbulator roughened solar air heater duct, Int. J. Hea
Mass Transfer, 2009, vol. 52, pp. 2834–2848.
The presence of an artificial roughness on the 10. Gupta, M.K. and Kaushik, S.C., Performance evalua
light-absorbing surface leads to an increase in aerody- tion of solar air heater having expanded metal mesh a
namic resistance and, as a consequence, the rough- artificial goughness on absorber plate, Int. J. Therm
ness coefficient. The maximum aerodynamic resis- Sci., 2009, no. 48, pp. 1007–1016.
tance is presented by the first f in along the airf low. 11. Sahu, M.M. and Bhagoria, J.L., Augmentation of hea
The value of the roughness coeff icient increases with transfer coefficient by using 90° broken transverse rib
the decrease of the fin pitch. The difference between on absorber plate of solar air heater, Renewable Energy
2005, vol. 30, pp. 2063–2075.
the roughness coeff icient for the 30- and 60 mm
12. Bhushan, B. and Singh, R., Nusselt number and fric
pitches is 7–10%. The maximum increase in the tion factor correlations for solar air heater duct havin
roughness coeff icient compared to the smooth surface artificially roughened absorber plate, Solar Energy
is 3.46 for Re = 4000 with a fin pitch equal to 30 mm. 2011, vo l. 85, pp. 110 9–1118 .
The increase in the Reynolds number causes suppres- 13. Samiev, M., Klychev, Sh.I., Bakhramov, S.A., et al
sion of the laminar sublayer, and, consequently, the Thermal technical efficiency of two-channer solar ai
roughness-coeff icient value decreases with the heater, Geliotekhnika, 2008, no. 3, pp. 27–31.
increase in the Reynolds number, which agrees with 14. Kabeel, A.E. and Mecarik, K., Shape optimization fo
classical f luid dynamics. absorber plates of solar air collectors, Renewabl
Energy, 1998, vol. 13, pp. 121–131.
The value of the thermoaerodynamic characteristic
15. Ozgen, F., Esen, M., and Esen, H., Experimenta
used to determine the optimum SAH design and pro- investigation of thermal performance of a double-f low
cess parameters (air velocity), which is in the range solar air heater having aluminium cans, Renewabl
between 1.62 an d 1.91, was determined for various fin Energy, 200 9, vol. 34, pp. 2391–2398.
pitches and Reynolds numbers. The maximum value 16. Alam, T., Saini, R.P., and Saini, J.S., Eff ect of circular
of the thermoaerodynamic characteristic for the solar ity of perforation holes in V-shaped blockages on hea
air heater with a finned light-absorbing surface, which transfer and friction characteristics of rectangular sola
is optimal for these parameters, is 1.91 for Re = 1500 air heater duct, Energy Convers. Manage., 2014, vol. 86
and a minimum test fin pitch of 30 mm. pp. 952–963.
17. Fox, W., Pritchard, P., and McDonald, A ., Introductio
to Fluid Mechanics, New York: Wiley, 2010, p. 754.
REFERENCES 18. Gawande, V.B., Dh oble, A.S., and Zodpe, D.B., Effec
of roughness geometries on heat transfer enhancemen
1. Brit. Petroleum, BP Statistical Review of World Energy in solar thermal systems—a review, Renewable Sustain
June 2016, London, UK: British Petroleum, 2016. able Energy Rev., 2014, vol. 32, pp. 347–378.
2. Saginov, L.D., Defects localization research in photo- 19. Pashchenko, D.I., Thermochemical recovery of hea
voltaic cells: methods and devices, Appl. Sol. Energy, contained in f lue gases by means of bioethanol conver
2016, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 201–204. sion, Thermal Eng., 2013, vol. 60, no. 6, pp. 438–443
3. Hans, R., Kaushik, S.C., and Manikandan, S., Exper- 20. Nikitin, M.N. and Tsynaeva, A.A., Study of the f low i
imental study and analysis on novel thermo-electric a channel with dumbbell-shaped dimples, Proc. Eng
cooler driven by solar photovoltaic system, Appl. Sol. 2016, vol. 150, pp. 2340–2344.
Energy, 2016, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 205–210. 21. Gupta, D., Solanki, S.C., and Saini, J.S., Thermohy
4. Eswaramoorthy, M., Thermal performance of draulic performance of solar air heaters with roughene
V-trough solar air heater with the thermal storage for absorber plates, Solar Energy, 1997, vol. 61, pp. 33–42
drying applications, Appl. Sol. Energy, 2016, vol. 52,
no. 4, pp. 245–250. Translated by A . Kolemesi

APPLIED SOLAR ENERGY Vol. 54 No. 1 2018

 Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link

Citations (36) References (22)

... In recent years, models that are significantly superior to traditional ones both in terms of computational efficiency and
in terms of accuracy of solving a wide range of forced convection problems have gained widespread popularity. These
include, in particular, a one-parameter model based on the use of the transport equation for turbulent viscosity, the SA
model [23] , and the two-parameter Menter model [24], which is a combination of the standard model and famous
model. The wide capabilities of these models and their significant superiority over standard models in relation to solving
a number of complex problems of forced convection have been demonstrated in many works. ...
... where are the velocity components, and in the momentum equation P is the pressure, μ and μ t are the dynamic and
turbulent viscosity of air, respectively, and in the energy equation T, and are the temperature, molecular thermal
diffusivity, and turbulent thermal diffusivity of air, respectively and i, j = 1, 2, and 3. Turbulence is modeled using the SA
model. The oneequation model is specified as follows [22, 23, 30]: (4) and turbulent eddy viscosity is calculated by
formula: ...
... (5) Other values are presented in article [23] . Continuity, momentum, and energy equations are given to analyze the
passage of air flow through a solar air heater, since they allow us to describe the main physical processes occurring in
the system. ...

Simulation of Turbulent Natural Convection in Photovoltaic Solar Panels Based on the Spalart–Allmares (SA) Turbulence
Model

Article Full-text available

Mar 2024
Akmaljon Kuchkarov · Shermuhammad Muminov · Murodil Erkinjon ugli Madaliev

View

... Solar energy system is widely investigated by researchers with many tools, ANSYS-FLUENT was used to investigate
the thermodynamic properties and efficiency of the solar system. For example, the thermal and aerodynamic processes
occurring in a solar air heater with L-shaped fins that absorb light are modeled numerically [30] . For the Russian city of
Samara, the analysis is conducted using an ANSYS-FLUENT Solver with an inbuilt solar calculator. ...
... The MATLAB/SIMULINK is widely used to model and validation of Photovoltaic solar cell to produce electricity,
pumping system, and many electric devices like Figure 13. CFD model and grid [30] . ...
... Velocity contour and velocity vector at Re = 1200 [30] . electric vehicles. ...

Modeling and Simulation of Fluid Flow, Energy, and Heat Transfer

Chapter Full-text available

Sep 2023
Firas Makahleh · Anas Nassar

View Show abstract

... However, with the continual evolution of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology, CFD software platforms
such as ANSYS Fluent [43] , OpenFOAM [44], and Phoenics [45] have emerged as indispensable analytical tools in
aerospace engineering. These advanced computational tools enable engineers to simulate and analyze complex
aerodynamic phenomena with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency, facilitating the optimization of aerospace vehicle
designs and enhancing their performance characteristics. ...

The Important Role of Fluid Mechanics in the Engineering Field

Article
Apr 2024
Yining Zhang · Yifan Xie · Guanyixuan Zhao · Yang Yang

View Show abstract

... With industrialisation and the advancement of modern technology, the global energy protocol has been facing
unprecedented challenges in coping with the current energy needs, particularly due to the overconsumption of natural
resources and also with the related adverse impacts to the nature. Phase change materials (PCMs), which can absorb
and release thermal energy during the heat transfer and conversion process via phase transitions, such as paraffin wax
and polyethylene glycol (PEG), are potential smart energy options that can be utilised in energy storage applications,
heat transfer systems (by diffusion of thermal energy) [1][2][3][4], and solar-thermal energy conversion applications
[5, 6]; and also they can be selected based on different melting temperatures to suit multiple applications [7,8]. For
example, at low temperatures (< 20 • C), they can be used in industrial refrigeration, dissipation for spacecraft systems,
as well as heat and cold storage units in buildings [9]. ...

Enhancing the thermal performance of polyethylene glycol phase change material with carbon-based fillers

Article Full-text available

Nov 2024 · INT J HEAT MASS TRAN
Tan Lo Wong · Ke Ma · Chamil Abeykoon
 View Show abstract
Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link

... In this investigation, quality check criteria were set to monitored with skewness correlation and aspect ratio. The
polyhedral grid type has an optimum performing skewness factor of 0.89 and an aspect ratio of 0.15 which is
recommended by ANSYS fluent manual [37, 38]. Furthermore, the selected grid produces a lower cell count which
drastically reduces computational time as shown in Table 2. ...

Battery thermal runaway propagation time delay strategy using phase change material integrated with pyro block lining: Dual
functionality battery thermal design

Article
Apr 2023
Virendra Talele · Mahesh Suresh Patil · Satyam Panchal · Roydon Fraser

View Show abstract

... Pashchenko conducted a CFD-based analysis for SAE using ANSYS-FLUENTand concluded that the optimal efficiency
occurs at an inclination angle of 60 degrees between the absorption surface and the Earth [19]. Moreover, he discovered
that using an L-shaped fin on SAE with a pitch of 30 mm and Re of 1500 improves its thermodynamic performance
[20] . Using MATLAB tools, the finned and roughened SAE designs are examined, and the design configurations are
optimized based on energy and exergy efficiency [21,22]. ...

Genetic Algorithm Integrated Fuzzy AHP-VIKOR Approach for the Investigation of W-Cut Insert Heat Exchanger for Cooling
of Dielectric Fluid Used in Ultra-High Voltage Transformer

Article Full-text available

Jul 2022
N. Vasantha Gowri · Samson Isaac · G. Suresh Babu · Murali Krishna Tangirala
View

A highly extensible smoothed particle hydrodynamics with meshless fluid-end general interpolation method based on
precise code interaction coupling environment for fluid–structure interaction surface coupling

Article
Sep 2024
Sifan Long · Xiao-Wei Guo · Xiaokang Fan · Canqun Yang

View Show abstract

3D numerical model of a Concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPV/T) system for thermal and electrical performance
optimization

Article
Jul 2024
Jhanbux Manek Variava · Jayesh K. Ratnadhariya · Mohd. Irfanul Haque Siddiqui · Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni

View

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Solar Collector with Stainless Steel Scourers Added to the Absorber Surface

Article Full-text available

Mar 2024
Ömer FARUK Can · Nevin Celik · Filiz Ozgen · Ali Taskiran

View Show abstract

Experimental investigation of double-glazed double-pass solar airheater (DG-DPSAH) with multi-v ribs having trapezoidal
roughness geometry

Article
May 2022
Swati Mor · Niraj Kumar · Gulshan Sachdeva

View Show abstract

Show more
 Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link

Recommended publications Discover more

Article Full-text available

Experimental and numerical studies on flow from axisymmetric nozzle flow with sudden expansion for m...
January 2016 · International Journal of Energy, Environment and Economics

Jaimon Dennis Quadros · Sher Afghan Khan · Jolene S Vas · Antony A J

Researches over late in the field of aerodynamic vehicles have been concerned with the problem of flow separation over its base
which has led to the establishment of low pressure circulation region. This pressure is found to be noticeably lower in comparison with
the free stream atmospheric pressure. Base drag due to such pressure differences can be up to two-thirds of the total drag which is ...
[Show full abstract]

View full-text

Article Full-text available

Experimental and Numerical Studies On Flow From Axisymmetric Nozzles Flow With Sudden Expansion For...

January 2016 · International Journal of Energy, Environment and Economics

Sher Afghan Khan

Researches over late in the field of aerodynamic vehicles have been concerned with the problem of flow separation over its base
which has lead to the establishment of low pressure circulation region. This pressure is found to be noticeably lower in comparison
with the free stream atmospheric pressure. Base drag due to such pressure differences can be up to two-thirds of the total drag which
is ... [Show full abstract]

View full-text

Conference Paper Full-text available

Experimental and Numerical Studies on flow from Axisymmetric Nozzle Flow With Sudden Expansion for M...

February 2016
Jaimon Dennis Quadros · Sher Afghan Khan · Jolene S Vas

Researches over the recent past in the field of aerodynamic vehicles have been concerned with the problem of flow separation over its
base which has lead to the formation of low pressure circulation region. This pressure is found to be noticeably lower than the free
stream atmospheric pressure. Base drag due to such pressure differences can be up to two-thirds of the total drag and is principally ...
[Show full abstract]

View full-text

Article

CFD Modeling of Operating Processes of a Solar Air Heater in ANSYS Fluent

March 2019 · Journal of Engineering Physics and Thermophysics

Dmitry Pashchenko

Rapid development of the technologies of use of renewable energy sources in the recent decade has opened up prospects for
satisfying our society′s ever growing needs for fuel and power resources. In the present work, the author has shown results of
investigation into the thermal and aerodynamic characteristics of a solar air heater. A computer model whose adequacy has been
confirmed using ... [Show full abstract]

Read more

Article

Experimental and CFD investigation of convection heat transfer in solar air heater with reverse L-sh...

June 2016 · Solar Energy

Vipin Gawande · A. S. Dhoble · D.B. Zodpe · Sunil Chamoli

A solar air heater is a thermal system which uses artificial roughness in the form of repeated ribs on the absorber plate to enhance the
heat transfer rate. Forced convection heat transfer of air in a solar air heater with reverse L-shaped ribs has been carried out
experimentally and numerically. Thermal performance of solar air heater is studied with design variables such as relative roughness ...
[Show full abstract]
 [Show full abstract]
Download full-text PDF Download citation Copy link
Read more

Article

Thermal performance evaluation of solar air heater using combined square and equilateral triangular...
September 2018 · Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Vipin Gawande · A. S. Dhoble · D.B. Zodpe · S. G. Fale

Heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics in roughened solar air heater duct with combined square and equilateral triangular ribs as
roughness is investigated using experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches. Relative roughness pitch (7.14 ≤
P/e ≤ 17.86), roughness height (e/D = 0.042), Reynolds number (3800≤ Re ≤ 18,000) and heat flux (1000 W/m²) are used as operating
... [Show full abstract]

Read more

Article

Experimental and CFD-based thermal performance prediction of solar air heater provided with chamfere...

August 2015 · Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering

Vipin Gawande · A. S. Dhoble · D.B. Zodpe · Sunil Chamoli

An experimental and two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a solar air heater has been carried out using
right-angle triangular ribs as artificial roughness on the absorber plate as a convenient method for enhancement of thermal
performance of solar air heater. The relative roughness pitch (P/e = 7.14–35.71), Reynolds number (Re = 3800–18000), and relative
roughness height ... [Show full abstract]

Read more

Company Support Business solutions

About us Help Center Advertising

News Recruiting
Careers

© 2008-2024 ResearchGate GmbH. All rights reserved. Terms · Privacy · Copyright · Imprint · Consent preferences