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Theoretical Analysis of Overall Heat Loss Coefficient in a Flat Plate Solar Collector with an In-Built Energy Storage Using a Phase Change Material

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Emerging Trends in Science, Engineering and Technology

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering ((LNME))

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Abstract

Flat Plate Solar Heater is one of the most widely used devices to harness solar energy available in abundance. The collector efficiency can be improved by reducing the overall losses. Efficiency of the collector depends on overall loss coefficient which is the sum of Top loss, Bottom loss and edge loss. The present theoretical analysis is on Overall Heat Loss Coefficient of a solar collector with and without in-built Phase Change Material (PCM). Theoretical results show a reduction in Overall loss coefficient with decrease in distance between the absorber plate and PCM surface, and decrease in mean absorber plate temperature.

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Abbreviations

A c :

Collector area (m2)

c p :

Specific heat capacity (Jkg−1k−1)

I :

Intensity of solar radiation (Wm−2)

S :

Solar radiation reaching the absorber plate (Wm−2)

L :

Number of glass covers

M :

Mass flow rate (Kgs−1)

T :

Temperature (K)

h w :

Wind loss coefficient (Wm−2K−1)

U L :

Overall heat loss coefficient (Wm−2K−1)

U T :

Top loss coefficient (Wm−2K−1)

U B :

Bottom loss coefficient (Wm−2K−1)

U E :

Edge loss coefficient (Wm−2K−1)

Q T :

Top heat loss (W)

Q B :

Bottom heat loss (W)

Q E :

Edge heat loss (W)

Q o :

Is the heat loss (W)

Qu :

Useful heat energy collected (W)

FR :

Collector heat removal factor

F’:

Collector efficiency factor

α :

Absorptive

Ï„ :

Transitivity

η :

Efficiency

σ :

Stefan Boltzmann’s constant = (5.67 × 10−8 Wm−2K−4)

β :

Collector tilt angle

a :

Ambient

c :

Collector

i :

Inlet

o :

Outlet

g:

Glass cover

p :

Absorber plate

References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, MAM College of Engineering and Technology, 621 105, Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu, India

    R. Sivakumar

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Roever Engineering College, 621 212, Perambalur, Tamilnadu, India

    V. Sivaramakrishnan

Authors
  1. R. Sivakumar
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  2. V. Sivaramakrishnan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Sivakumar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. J.J. College of Engg and Technology, Ammapettai, Poolangulathupatti – Post, Tiruchirappalli, 620009, India

    S Sathiyamoorthy

  2. , Dept of Electronics & Communication Engg, J.J. College of Engg and Technology, Ammapettai, Tiruchirappalli, 620009, India

    B. Elizabeth Caroline

  3. , Dept. of Computer Applications, J.J. College of Engg and Technology, Ammapettai, Tiruchirappalli, 620009, India

    J Gnana Jayanthi

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© 2012 Springer India

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Sivakumar, R., Sivaramakrishnan, V. (2012). Theoretical Analysis of Overall Heat Loss Coefficient in a Flat Plate Solar Collector with an In-Built Energy Storage Using a Phase Change Material. In: Sathiyamoorthy, S., Caroline, B., Jayanthi, J. (eds) Emerging Trends in Science, Engineering and Technology. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, India. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1007-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1007-8_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, India

  • Print ISBN: 978-81-322-1006-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-81-322-1007-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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