Optimal arrangement of structural and functional parts in a flat plate integrated collector storage solar water heater (ICSSWH)

Journal Article · Tue Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EXPTHERMFLUSCI.2008.01.003· OSTI ID:21030290

Gertzos, K P; Caouris, Y G ^[1]

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1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, 265 00 Patras (Greece)

Parameters that affect the efficiency of a flat plate integrated collector storage solar water heater (ICSSWH) are examined experimentally and numerically. This specific ICSSWH contains water that is not refreshed. The service water is heated indirectly through an immersed heat exchanger (HE) in contact with the front and back major surfaces. A forced convection mechanism consisting of a pump that brings the storage water into motion by recirculation is used for heat transfer intensification. The two major (front and back) flat plate surfaces need to be well interconnected so that they are not deformed by the weight of the contained water and the exerted high-pressure. Two main factors that influence the performance are optimized: the position and size of the recirculation ports and the arrangement and size of the interconnecting fins. Both factors are explored to maximize the velocity flow field of the recirculated storage water. Consequently, the heat transfer rate between the two water circuits is maintained at high levels. Various 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are developed using the FLUENT package. An experimental model, made by Plexiglas, is used for the visualization of the flow field. Flow velocities are measured using a laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) system. The optimal arrangement increases the mean storage water velocity by 65% and raises the outlet temperatures up to 8 C. (author)

• OSTI ID: 21030290
• Journal Information: Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, Vol. 32, Issue 5; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0894-1777
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
FORCED CONVECTION
WATER
HEAT TRANSFER
STORAGE
HEAT EXCHANGERS
PLEXIGLAS
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VELOCITY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FLUID MECHANICS
EFFICIENCY
FINS
PERFORMANCE
WEIGHT
OPTIMIZATION
CONFIGURATION
FLOW VISUALIZATION
Tube heat exchanger
FLUENT