CFD modeling of a polymer solar collector

A polymer solar collector is developed and its behavior is investigated both experimentally and with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Solar irradiation as well as convection and heat transfer in the circulating fluid and between the parts of the collector is considered in the model. The temperature and velocity distribution over its area as well as the collector efficiency at nominal flow rate were used in order to validate the CFD model. Temperature distribution during operation and average collector efficiency were found to be in good agreement between the experimental data and the results of the CFD modeling.