Exergy and energy analysis of a novel type solar collector under steady state condition: Experimental and CFD analysis

Computational fluid dynamics model for a flat plate solar collector was developed to predict the performance of a single bent riser tube attached to an absorber plate. The model was validated by carrying out experiments. The exergy and energy efficiencies, overall heat loss coefficient, outlet water and absorber plate temperature of the solar collector were investigated. Maximum thermal efficiency of 71% was obtained with 60 °C outlet water temperature for the investigated solar collector. Comparison of numerical values with the experimental results indicated minimal deviation error. The low values of deviation error establish the confidence in the predictive capabilities of the developed model. Effects of various operating parameters such as mass flow rate, working fluids, ambient temperature, inlet water temperature, collector heat loss factor and solar insolation on exergy and energy efficiencies were also investigated. Parametric study revealed increase in exergy efficiency of the collector with increase in collector heat loss factor, solar insolation and decreases with rise in ambient temperature.