International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences

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Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating

Received: 29 March 2017    Accepted: 06 June 2017    Published: 28 November 2017
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Abstract

This paper examines the experimental study on a line axis concentrating solar energy collector for water heating. The system considered consists of cylindrical solar radiation concentrator with a black coated tubular absorber positioned along its axis. A cold water tank is placed above the collector and a hot water tank positioned below it such that fluid flows in and out of the set up. Solar radiation absorber inlet header is connected to the cold water tank while its outlet header is connected to the hot water tank. These major components are supported by angle iron raised at a distance from the ground that depends on the location and function. Valves are used at strategic points on the connecting pipe lines to isolate the flow of water. When water is poured into the cold water chamber, and the control valve turned on, the water flows under gravity into the receiver/absorber tube. At the absorber section, heat is transferred from the steel tube to the circulating water and is consequently heated. The heated water, then flows into the returning tube against gravity, thereby restricting the heated water from flowing into the storage tank. At this stage, thermo-siphoning effect comes into play. As the temperature of the water increases, its density reduces while the mass remains constant in order to balance the effect of the reduction in density. Thus, there is a resultant increase in volume which consequently pushes the water level further along the returning pipe. Further increase in temperature reduces the water density and increases the volume of the water, thereby causing the heated water to flow into the insulated tank. Several experimental tests were carried out under meteorological condition at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria at three different mass flow rates of 0.001kg/s, 0.002kg/s and 0.003kg/s. The solar water heater was tested while oriented in the East–West and North –South directions in order to determine the effects of orientation on the performance. Results obtained showed that a maximum temperature of 69.5°C, corresponding to 34.5°C increase in water temperature and a maximum instantaneous efficiency of 51.01% is possible. The aim of the study is to design a cheaper solar energy system capable of reducing energy bill within the developing countries of the world.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11
Published in International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2017)
Page(s) 62-69
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cylindrical Solar Water Heater, Solar Intensity, Mass Flow Rate

References
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[2] Anderson B. and Michael R. (1983): the solar Home Book Chesire Books, Harrisville NH. USA.
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[4] Sambo A. S. (2005). “Renewable Energy for Rural Development: The Nigerian Perspective.” ISESCO Science and Technology Vision 1(May, 2005): 12-22.
[5] Arasu A. V. and Sornakumer S. T(2006)., Performance characteristics of solar parabolic Trouhg collector Hot Water Generation System. Thermal science year 2006, volume 10, issue 2, pages (167-174).
[6] Dharuman, C.; Arakeri, J. H.; Srinivasan, K. (2006) Performance evaluation of an integrated solar water heater as an option for building energy conservation Energy and Buildings, 38 (3). pp. 214-219. ISSN 0378-7788.
[7] Cuurie, J. I, Garnier C., Muneer T., grassie T. and Henderson D. (2008): Modeling Bulk Water Temperature Integrated Collector Storage System. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 29(3): 203-218.
[8] Okoronkwo. (2014) Experimental study on the performance of a compound parabolic collector thermo syphon solar water heater’ Project Conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
[9] Adeyemo S. B. (2000): Simulation of the Performance of Solar Energy for Domestic Heating. Global Journal of Mechanical Engineering 3: 14 – 23.
[10] Agbo S. N. and G. O. Unachukwu (2007): Design and performance feature of a Domestic thermosyphonsolar water for an Average-Size family in Nuskka. Trends in Applied Sciences Research 2(3): 224-230.
[11] Egbo G. I (2004): Simulation and validation of the Thermal performance of a solar parabokic – trough concentrating collector in Bauchi, PhD thesis, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
[12] Taboada, M. E., Caceres L., Graber, T. A., Cabeza L. F., Rojas R. (2017) Solar water heating system and photovoltaic floating cover to reduce evaporation: Experimental results and modeling, Journal of Renewable Energy Volume 105 (1-798).
[13] Resvani S., Bahri P. A., Urmee T., G. F. Baverstock (2017). Techno-economic and reliability assessment of solar water heaters in Australia based on Monte Carlo analysis. Journal of Renewable Energy 105 (774-785).
[14] Gautam A., Chamoli S., Kumar A., Singh S. (2016) A review on technical improvements, economic feasibility and world scenario of solar water heating system. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 68 (541–562).
[15] Mehla N., Avadhesh Yadav. (2016) Experimental investigation of a desiccant dehumidifier based on evacuated tube solar collector with a PCM storage unit. Drying Technology 1-16.
[16] Amit Kumar, Avadhesh Yadav. (2017) Experimental investigation of an air heating system using different types of heat exchangers incorporated with an evacuated tube solar collector. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 36: 1, pages 232-247.
[17] Hallstrom O. (2016) Design Optimization of a Sorption Integrated Sydney Type Vacumm Tube Collector. ASME. Journal of Solar Energy. 139(2).
[18] Tiwar G. N (2002): Solar Energy. Fundamentals, Design, Modeling and Applications. Nosora Pub. House New Delhi india.
Author Information
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

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    Frederick Ikpakwu, Anthony Okoronkwo, Modestus Okwu, Emmanuel Anyanwu. (2017). Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating. International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences, 3(6), 62-69. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11

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    ACS Style

    Frederick Ikpakwu; Anthony Okoronkwo; Modestus Okwu; Emmanuel Anyanwu. Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating. Int. J. Fluid Mech. Therm. Sci. 2017, 3(6), 62-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11

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    AMA Style

    Frederick Ikpakwu, Anthony Okoronkwo, Modestus Okwu, Emmanuel Anyanwu. Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating. Int J Fluid Mech Therm Sci. 2017;3(6):62-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11,
      author = {Frederick Ikpakwu and Anthony Okoronkwo and Modestus Okwu and Emmanuel Anyanwu},
      title = {Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating},
      journal = {International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {62-69},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijfmts.20170306.11},
      abstract = {This paper examines the experimental study on a line axis concentrating solar energy collector for water heating. The system considered consists of cylindrical solar radiation concentrator with a black coated tubular absorber positioned along its axis. A cold water tank is placed above the collector and a hot water tank positioned below it such that fluid flows in and out of the set up. Solar radiation absorber inlet header is connected to the cold water tank while its outlet header is connected to the hot water tank. These major components are supported by angle iron raised at a distance from the ground that depends on the location and function. Valves are used at strategic points on the connecting pipe lines to isolate the flow of water. When water is poured into the cold water chamber, and the control valve turned on, the water flows under gravity into the receiver/absorber tube. At the absorber section, heat is transferred from the steel tube to the circulating water and is consequently heated. The heated water, then flows into the returning tube against gravity, thereby restricting the heated water from flowing into the storage tank. At this stage, thermo-siphoning effect comes into play. As the temperature of the water increases, its density reduces while the mass remains constant in order to balance the effect of the reduction in density. Thus, there is a resultant increase in volume which consequently pushes the water level further along the returning pipe. Further increase in temperature reduces the water density and increases the volume of the water, thereby causing the heated water to flow into the insulated tank. Several experimental tests were carried out under meteorological condition at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria at three different mass flow rates of 0.001kg/s, 0.002kg/s and 0.003kg/s. The solar water heater was tested while oriented in the East–West and North –South directions in order to determine the effects of orientation on the performance. Results obtained showed that a maximum temperature of 69.5°C, corresponding to 34.5°C increase in water temperature and a maximum instantaneous efficiency of 51.01% is possible. The aim of the study is to design a cheaper solar energy system capable of reducing energy bill within the developing countries of the world.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Experimental Study on a Line-Axis Concentrating Solar Energy Collector for Water Heating
    AU  - Frederick Ikpakwu
    AU  - Anthony Okoronkwo
    AU  - Modestus Okwu
    AU  - Emmanuel Anyanwu
    Y1  - 2017/11/28
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11
    T2  - International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences
    SP  - 62
    EP  - 69
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-8113
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfmts.20170306.11
    AB  - This paper examines the experimental study on a line axis concentrating solar energy collector for water heating. The system considered consists of cylindrical solar radiation concentrator with a black coated tubular absorber positioned along its axis. A cold water tank is placed above the collector and a hot water tank positioned below it such that fluid flows in and out of the set up. Solar radiation absorber inlet header is connected to the cold water tank while its outlet header is connected to the hot water tank. These major components are supported by angle iron raised at a distance from the ground that depends on the location and function. Valves are used at strategic points on the connecting pipe lines to isolate the flow of water. When water is poured into the cold water chamber, and the control valve turned on, the water flows under gravity into the receiver/absorber tube. At the absorber section, heat is transferred from the steel tube to the circulating water and is consequently heated. The heated water, then flows into the returning tube against gravity, thereby restricting the heated water from flowing into the storage tank. At this stage, thermo-siphoning effect comes into play. As the temperature of the water increases, its density reduces while the mass remains constant in order to balance the effect of the reduction in density. Thus, there is a resultant increase in volume which consequently pushes the water level further along the returning pipe. Further increase in temperature reduces the water density and increases the volume of the water, thereby causing the heated water to flow into the insulated tank. Several experimental tests were carried out under meteorological condition at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria at three different mass flow rates of 0.001kg/s, 0.002kg/s and 0.003kg/s. The solar water heater was tested while oriented in the East–West and North –South directions in order to determine the effects of orientation on the performance. Results obtained showed that a maximum temperature of 69.5°C, corresponding to 34.5°C increase in water temperature and a maximum instantaneous efficiency of 51.01% is possible. The aim of the study is to design a cheaper solar energy system capable of reducing energy bill within the developing countries of the world.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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