Comparative Analysis of Thermal Performance of a Solar Water Heating System Based on the Serpentine and Risers-Head Configurations

Zwalnan, Selfa Johnson; Caleb, Nanchen Nimyel; Mangai, Mahan Morgan; Sanda, Nantim Yohana

doi:10.30501/jree.2020.251190.1150

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin-Ladi, Nigeria

² Department of Computer Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin-Ladi, Nigeria

³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Jos, Plateau State, P. O. Box: 930261, ‎Jos, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.30501/jree.2020.251190.1150

Abstract

The effect of solar collector configurations on the thermal efficiency of an active solar water heater was investigated using TRNSYS in this study. Two versions of a solar heater were formulated on the basis of serpentine and riser-header flat plate configurations. Both models were simulated based on the same parameters and weather conditions. Besides, in accordance with clear sky and cloudy sky conditions, a parametric analysis was performed to determine the impact of varying parameters on the thermal efficiency of the two models. The results showed that the serpentine-based device model provided about 2.62 % more usable thermal energy than the riser-header configuration. In addition, both models demonstrated the same response and sensitivity to changes in the collector area and the volume of the tank. However, on a cloudy day, the efficiency of serpentine showed a significant improvement and sensitivity to flow variance with an efficiency gap of about 30 % to the riser header configuration.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Renewable Energy Resources and Technologies

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Comparative Analysis of Thermal Performance of a Solar Water Heating System Based on the Serpentine and Risers-Head Configurations

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Volume 8, Issue 2April 2021Pages 21-30

Volume 8, Issue 2
April 2021
Pages 21-30