Using an Analytical Approach to Investigate Thermal Performance of Double-Flow Packed-Bed Solar Air Heaters with External Recycle
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 3
Abstract
In the present study, the thermal and effective thermal efficiencies of a double-flow packed-bed solar air heater with an external recycle are investigated theoretically. An analytical model capable of predicting the thermal and effective thermal performances of the heater is presented. The effects of the mass flow rate, the recycle ratio, and the bed porosity on the thermal and effective thermal efficiencies of the heater are investigated. It is indicated that the recycle ratio significantly improves the thermal performance of a double-pass packed-bed solar air heater. The results revealed that the thermal and effective thermal efficiencies of the heater are about 21.3 and 25.4% higher when compared to a conventional-type solar air collector of the same size with an external recycle. The optimum values of the recycle ratio, the mass flow rate, and the bed porosity, at which the heater yields the maximum value of effective thermal efficiency, are identified and presented. The results of the thermal and effective thermal efficiencies of the heater compared with a parallel-flow packed-bed solar air heater without recycle are also delineated.
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Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 3 • September 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 22, 2013
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: Jul 3, 2014
Discussion open until: Dec 3, 2014
Published in print: Sep 1, 2015
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