Numerical study on the Performance enhancement of curved solar air heaters

Abstract

In this study, the performance of a 3D curved solar air heater was simulated using fluent software. Then based on the available data an equation is presented to estimate the efficiency of heaters with different curves as well as the corresponding constraints. Increasing the curvature of the heater increases the thermal efficiency, but this is compounded by the cost of building the machine and the pressure drop. The higher the pressure drop the stronger the compressor will require to pump the air to the desired flow rate.