Modeling of flat-plate collectors based on monolithic silica aerogel

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(92)90111-M· OSTI ID:6967220

Nordgaard, A ^[1]; Beckman, W A ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Trondheim (Norway)
2. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (United States)

This paper presents a new method for predicting the radiative transfer in an absorbing and isotropically scattering, non-gray plane-parallel atmosphere. The technique is based upon the {cflx F} ( F-hat') concept and was developed to determine the radiative transfer at short wavelengths for the transparent insulation material, monolithic silica aerogel. The angular dependence of solar transmittance of diffuse and ground reflected radiation is evaluated along with the 'transmittance-absorptance product' of a collector. The {cflx F} technique is also used to determine the IR transmission of the cover from which the overall loss coefficient for a flat-plate collector constructed with aerogel filled covers is determined. The performance of a system using aerogel collectors is compared to systems using other types of high performing collectors. It is shown that, at least for the system investigated, the decrease in solar transmittance of monolithic silica aerogel is more than compensated by the decrease in thermal losses.

• OSTI ID: 6967220
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States), Journal Name: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (United States) Vol. 49:5; ISSN SRENA; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
CHALCOGENIDES
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
HEAT TRANSFER
ISOTROPY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER
RADIATIONS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
THERMAL INSULATION