Experiment and numerical simulation on flow and heat transfer in all-glass evacuated tube solar collectors

The experimental study of natural convection in allglass evacuated tube solar collectors is performed through the experimental platform of the solar-assisted fuel cell system.The experimental facility includes solar collectors with different length and diameter tubes, different coating materials, and with / without guide plates, respectively. Threedimensional mathematical models on natural and forced convections in the solar collectors are established and the experimental data is validated by field synergy and entransy principles. The results of natural convection show that the water temperature increases and thermal efficiency decreases gradually with the evacuated tube length. The thermal efficiency increases when absorption rates increase from 0. 95 to 1. 0 and emission rates decrease from 0. 16 to 0. 06. The thermal efficiency of solar collectors is increased after being equipped with the guide plate, which is attributed to the disappearance of the mixed flowand the enhancement of the heat transfer at the bottom of the evacuated tube. The results of forced convertion indicate that the Reynolds, Nusselt and entransy increments of the horizontal double collectors are higher than those of the vertical single collector while the entransy dissipation is lower than that of the vertical single collector. It is concluded that the solar collectors with guide plates are suitable for natural convection while the double horizontal collectors are suitable for forced convection in the thermal field of solar-assisted fuel cell systems with lowand medium temperatures.

An Evaluation to the Performance of Evacuated Tube Solar Heaters for Arid and Hot Areas

Solar energy applications could be the best alternative to the conventional fuels for the purposes of domestic,water and space heating and some industries in the sunny,arid,and hot areas.In the present study,the performance of an evacuated tube solar heater for water heating for months of February and March was experimentally investigated.This was performed in a hot and arid area(Nasiriya City,South of Iraq).A solar heater with ten evacuated tube solar collectors with a capacity of 100 liter was used in the experiments.Each evacuated tube had a length of 1.8m with an outside diameter of 8 cm.It was observed that for the two selected months,water temperature of the solar heater reached a maximum more than 70°C during sunny days with no heat extraction from the tank of the solar heater.Moreover,heat was extracted from the solar collector with four different flowrates 0.5,0.75,1,and 1.25 l/min,respectively.The results showed that temperature of the solar heater behaved differently from the static situation.When the heat extraction begun,there was a gradual and noticeable decrease in the water temperature of the heater.The observed decrease was slight with the lowest flowrate(0.25 l/m)and becomes sharp with the highest flowrate(1.25 l/min).However,water temperature of the solar heater remained higher than 40°C for the investigated flowrates except the case of 1.25 l/min.The results showed that evacuated tube solar heater can work efficiently in arid and hot areas in winter and spring seasons when the conditions of solar radiation are suitable.

Adapting Integrated High Concentrated PV Modules and Evacuated Tube Collectors to Minimize Building Energy Consumption in Hot Climate

Energy consumption in buildings is considered a significant portion of gross power dissipation, so a great effort is required to design efficient construction. In severe hot weather conditions as Kuwait, energy required for building cooling and heating results in a huge energy loads and consumption and accordingly high emission rates of carbon dioxide. So, the main purpose of the current work is to convert the existing institutional building to near net-zero energy building (nNZEB) or into a net-zero energy building (NZEB). A combination of integrated high concentrated photovoltaic (HCPV) solar modules and evacuated tube collectors (ETC) are proposed to provide domestic water heating, electricity load as well as cooling consumption of an institutional facility. An equivalent circuit model for single diode is implemented to evaluate triple junction HCPV modules efficiency considering concentration level and temperature effects. A code compatible with TRNSYS subroutines is introduced to optimize evacuated tube collector efficiency. The developed models are validated through comparison with experimental data available from literature. The efficiency of integrated HCPV-ETC unit is optimized by varying the different system parameters. Transient simulation program (TRNSYS) is adapted to determine the performance of various parts of HCPV-ETC system. Furthermore, a theoretical code is introduced to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed building when integrated with renewable energy systems. The integrated HCPV-ETC fully satisfies the energy required for building lighting and equipment. Utilizing HCPV modules of orientation 25? accomplishes a minimum energy payback time of about 8 years. Integrated solar absorption chiller provides about 64% of the annual air conditioning consumption needed for the studied building. The energy payback period (EPT) or solar cooling system is about 18 years which is significantly larger than that corresponding to HCPV due to the extra expenses of solar absorption system. The life cycle savings (LCS) of solar cooling absorption system is approximately $2400/year. Furthermore, levelized cost of energy of solar absorption cooling is $0.21/kWh. Hence, the net cost of the solar system after subtracting the CO2 emission cost will be close to the present price of conventional generation in Kuwait (about $0.17/kWh). Finally, the yearly CO2 emission avoided is approximately 543 ton verifying the environmental benefits of integrated HCPV-ETC arrangements in Kuwait.

Performance of Water in Glass Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heater under Kenya Climatic Condition

Solar water heaters which provide a cost-effective and environmental friendly approach to hot water generation are in widespread application. Evacuated tube solar water heaters perform better than flat plate solar water heaters as a result of their greater surface area exposed for sunlight absorption. Water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heaters are widely used as compared to heat-pipe solar water heaters due to their short payback periods. In this study, the performance of water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heater is investigated through experiments under the climatic conditions in Kenya. The results revealed a daily efficiency range of 0.58 - 0.65 and a daily final outlet temperature greater than 55°C given an initial temperature of 25°C.

Thermo-economic analysis of the performance of the combined system with evacuated tube collectors

Using combined cooling,heat and power systems can be an appropriate substitute for preventing emissions of pollutants and excessive consumption of fossil fuels.Utilizing renewable energy in these systems as a source of power generation can be an appropriate substitute for fossil-fuel-based systems.Therefore,in this paper,cogeneration cooling,heat and power systems based on gas-fired internal combustion engines with a solar-thermal system with evacuated tube collectors have been modelled and thermo-economic analysis has been done to compare fossil-fuel-based systems.The required rate of heat to supply the hot water is 50 kW.In the studied system,the internal combustion engine produces electrical energy.Then,the solar-thermal system with evacuated tube collectors and the gas-burning generator provide the thermal energy required by the studied building and the primary stimulus of the absorption chiller for cooling.In this study,two different scenarios are conducted in states considering simultaneous production systems and regardless of this environmental and thermo-economic analysis system.The results showed that the efficiency of the studied system was 60% in summer and 56% in winter.

全玻璃真空太阳集热管关键技术参数研究进展

全玻璃真空太阳集热管是太阳能热利用系统的重要组成部分,其性能参数的优劣直接影响到太阳能热利用系统的热性能、耐久可靠性和节能效果。文章从真空管基本结构和工作原理的介绍出发,对影响真空管性能的光学性能、热性能等关键技术参数及玻璃管材料、真空性能等其他技术要求的研究进展做了详细分析,并在长期从事科研和检测工作的基础上,给出了提升真空管的产品性能可从玻璃管生产优化、新涂层开发、真空性能加强、技术创新、先进设备开发、标准修订等方面的建议。

级联型潜热储存耦合热泵系统性能研究

为提高太阳能利用率和热泵热力学性能,将真空管集热器、热泵和填充床等结合,提出一种级联型潜热储存耦合热泵系统用于建筑供热。针对太阳能集热及室外温度等条件,将太阳能蓄热和室外空气作为热泵的热源进行系统集成设计。在FLUENT和EES中分别建立填充床和热泵的热力学模型,并分析填充床的换热流体流量、放热温度和用户回水温度对系统热力性能的影响。结果表明,填充床流体流量从0.05 kg/s增至0.07 kg/s时,热泵系统整体平均性能指数下降0.16;填充床作为热源的放热温度升高20℃时,填充床供热增加74269 kJ,有效放热率下降21.9%;当用户回水温度升高10℃时,热泵系统整体平均性能指数下降0.19,有效放热率下降16.2%。

U型管式相变蓄热真空太阳集热管结构优化与性能分析

为提高相变蓄热真空太阳能集热器的热性能,针对相变填充材料固态时传热性能低、集热管释热效率低等问题,提出一种新型的带有一体化轴向双翼翅片结构的U型管式相变蓄热真空太阳集热管结构,分析在不同质量流量运行工况下翅片主要结构参数对集热管释热和蓄热性能的影响,得出最佳的翅片结构参数,并与两种传统结构的集热管性能进行对比分析。结果表明:对于外径为58 mm的玻璃真空太阳集热管,采用复合相变填充材料Na_(2)SO_(4)·10H_(2)O+石墨(质量比92%∶8%)时,释热和蓄热性能最佳的翅片结构参数是翅片长度/翅片夹角为17 mm/60°;该最佳翅片结构能显著强化集热管内的传热性能,使集热管内相变填充材料的温度均匀性更好,使新型U型管式相变蓄热真空太阳集热管相较于圆翅片、无翅片结构形式的集热管,释热量最高可分别提高6.4%和112.6%,释热效率最高可分别提高6.4%和117.4%。

内插式真空管集热器集热性能提升技术研究综述

真空管太阳能集热器是太阳能热利用的重要途径。内插式真空管集热器是一种结构优化后的真空管集热器,为提升其集热性能,介绍了内插式真空管集热器的工作原理,对其传热机理进行了分析,归纳了当前对内插式真空管集热器的集热性能的研究现状,并在此基础上通过建立集热效率关于环境参数及流量的关联式、改进内插管主管和支管管径尺寸、综合优化集热器布置方式及管间距并设置反射板的方式等方法分析了存在的问题,为低成本、高效率的内插式真空管集热器的研究发展提供了参考依据。

Laminar Natural Convective Heat Transfer in theEnclosed Evacuated Collector Tube with East-West Symmetric Heat Input

Heat transfer in the evacuated collector tube is a three-dimensional laminar natural convection prob-lem driven by buoyancy. Because of its complexity, no effective theoretical model is available despiteof limited experimental work which is confined to one aspect- The present work aims to depict theconvective heat transfer inside a tweended inclined tube with East-West symmetric heat input us-ing numerical methods. Based on reasonable assumptions, governing equations of the inside fluid areestabllshed. The corresponding discretizated equations are solved by employing numerical methods.The calculated results are displayed for velocity and temperature profiles on different cross-sectionalplanes, which present the flow pattern characterized by upflow and dowallow along the axial direc-tion and adherent flow along the peripheral direction, and the heat transfer process from the wall tothe center. Furthermore, the transient Nusselt number and average temperature level are shown anddiscussed. Finally, the parametric effects of the tube radius and the heat input on the flow and heattransfer are also given.

Manufacturing and Thermal Performance Test of (Compound) Solar Collector in Damascus City

Solar water collectors that uses for domestic and industrial applications within temperature up to, are classified under two main types: Flat Plate collector (FP), and Evacuated Tube collector (ET). Thermal performance test results showed that each type have different thermal features. Comparison between (FP & ET) collectors showed that they could take advantages of different thermal features of two types when they work in the same climatic conditions and overlap of these thermal features when they work in different operational conditions. They can take advantage of these features through (compound) solar collector. Compound solar water Collector (CO) composed of a part of flat plate collector shape (FP), and a part of evacuated tube collector shape (ET). Booth have equal reference area, and connected together to be as one Solar collector (CO). Water entered first flat part (FP), then evacuated tube part (ET) then to tank or end-use. In this paper, present design and manufacturing as well the thermal performance test of (compound) solar collector, according to Standard Specification of tests, was EN12975:2001. Mechanical test for (CO) collector conducted successfully according to durability, reliability, and safety requirements. In addition, thermal performance was tested in steady state at the climatic conditions of Damascus city, and concluded the thermal performance of (FP & ET) that constitute (CO) collector. The results showed enhancement of thermal performance.

Developments of solar collectors in China

China has abundant solar energy resource. Solar thermal collectors, particularly all-glass evacuated tubular collectors, have been studied and developed for 30 years, and solar thermal industry has developed rapidly for 15 years. There are various solar thermal systems, with an operation area of around 108 million m2 in 2007. These systems mainly provide domestic hot water, but some other applications are under extensive study and development as well.

Performance and Optimization of a Small Hybrid Solar-Thermal Collector

A hybrid solar collector was designed to investigate the effects of combining two different solar collector techniques on the overall collector’s effectiveness. While most solar collectors focus only on one solar collection method, the small hybrid system uses a flat plate collector in conjunction with five evacuated tubes to absorb the most energy possible from both direct and diffuse solar radiation. Data was collected over four months while the system operated at different flow rates and with various levels of available insolation from the sun to evaluate the performance of the solar collector. To understand the relative contribution of the flat plate collector and the evacuated tubes, temperature differences across each part of the system were measured. The results indicate the average first law efficiency of the hybrid system is 43.3%, significantly higher than the performance of the flat plate alone. An exergy analysis was performed for this system to assess the performance of the flat plate system by itself. Results of the second law analysis were comparable to the exergetic efficiencies of other experimental collectors, around 4%. Though the efficiencies were in the expected range, they reveal that further improvements to the system are possible.

Performance of U-tube Solar Water Heaters Facing Different Directions

System performance of solar water heaters depends upon collector and storage tank designs, solar radiation intensity and ambient temperature, amongst others. Evacuated glass tube collectors with U-tubes inside are less prone to leakages than the all-glass or the heat pipe types. U-tube solar water heaters suspended on walls and balconies could help overcome present day roof space restriction and increasing apartment-style housing. As such, their performance would depend upon its orientation when mounted in a vertical position. This paper reports the results of outdoor tests conducted on natural convection U-tube solar water heaters oriented towards different directions. Long and short term test procedures were employed to allow us to compare their performances as if they were tested simultaneously side-by-side.

紧凑型热管真空管集热器集热特性分析

为充分利用闲置建筑屋顶,为建筑和工业过程提供中温热能,设计了一种紧凑型热管真空管集热器(HPETC)。以南京地区为例,通过构建集热器传热热阻理论模型,并使用方差分析法,分析其集热特性。结果表明:集热器在523.15 K工作状态下具有24.56%的热效率;4种因素对热效率的影响程度从小到大分别为直射辐射、选择性吸收涂层(SAC)发射率、真空管内压力、进口温度;当真空管内压力小于0.01 Pa时,降低SAC发射率对热效率提升具有显著作用。

真空管直膨式太阳能热泵系统性能分析

该文将真空管集热器与直膨式太阳能热泵结合,提出一种真空管直膨式太阳能热泵系统。实验研究典型工况下太阳辐照度、循环水温度对系统性能的影响,并探讨压缩机变频条件下系统的动态性能。结果表明,提高太阳辐照度、降低循环水温度有利于提高系统性能,在太阳辐照度为850 W/m^(2),循环水温度为55℃时系统取得最大COP,为5.36。压缩机频率为42 Hz的系统COP为4.08,较45、47、50 Hz分别提高1.23%、8.5%、13.6%。

A Mechanical and Experimental Study on the Heat Loss of Solar Evacuated Tube

The experimental system of heat loss of all-glass evacuated solar collector tubes(evacuated tube) is firstly designed and constructed,which uses electric heater as thermal resource.The equilibrium temperatures are less than±1℃during the test.and the temperature differences of up/middle/low node in the tube are less than 1℃,3℃,and 7℃respectively.The heat loss of evacuated tube increases about 2.7%with vacuum state of 0.01--1 mPa,and it has the best performance at tube temperature of 20--280℃.The invalidation tube(>200 mPa) has the biggest heat loss that increases linearly with the tube temperature.The evacuated tubes with the vacuum of 0.01-1 mPa are suitable for most solar adsorption refrigeration.

槽式集热器真空集热管传热特性研究

通过分析太阳能槽式集热器真空集热管的热性能,建立了槽式集热器真空集热管稳态传热模型,通过和典型实验数据对比,验证该模型的适用性和准确性。在此基础上,分析在无光照条件下,吸热管内壁温度、环境温度、风速和集热管残存气体种类等因素对集热管热损失的影响。结果表明:吸热管内壁温度的升高会增大玻璃管外壁温度和集热管热损失;环境温度和风速对玻璃管外壁温度有显著影响,但对热损失的影响甚微;吸热管与玻璃管之间以辐射传热为主,对流换热受环形区域残存气体种类和压力的影响。

内插式太阳能真空管空气集热器实验研究

通过实验对一种新型的内插式真空管空气集热器不同季节工况下的集热特性进行了测试分析,同时研究了南北朝向下集热器安装倾斜角在0°～90°范围内变化对其性能的影响,通过实验得到了空气集热器单管时间常数研究发现不同季节工况稳定工作阶段,该空气集热器以轮廓采光面积为基准的平均集热效率约为50%,在0°～60°范围内改变安装倾角对集热器效率影响不大。90°倾角下集热效率有所下降,平均在40%～50%之间。

真空集热型太阳能固体吸附式制冷的理论研究

为提高太阳能吸附制冷系统的集热性能 ,提出了采用真空集热管式吸附床的太阳能固体吸附制冷系统 ,并对选择吸收式和直接吸热式的真空集热制冷系统分别进行了理论分析与计算模拟。这两种系统均具有较高的制冷性能 ,前者宜以沸石 -水为制冷工质对 ,而后者则宜采用活性碳 -甲醇工质对。分析了工作参数对这两种真空集热型制冷系统的影响 ,并对系统结构进行了优化研究。