Performance and cost benefits analysis of double-pass solar collector with and without fins

• The thermal performances and cost analysis of the double-pass solar collector with and without fins absorber were discussed.
• The theoretical and experimental study on the double-pass solar air collector with and without fins absorber was conducted.
• The ratio of AC/AEG or the cost benefit ratio was presented.
• The double-pass solar collector with fins absorber is more cost-effective compared to without fins absorber.

The performance and cost benefit analysis of double-pass solar collector with and without fins have been conducted. The theoretical model using steady state analysis has been developed and compared with the experimental results. The performance curves of the double-pass solar collector with and without fins, which included the effects of mass flow rate and solar intensity on the thermal efficiency of the solar collector, were obtained. Results indicated that the thermal efficiency is proportional to the solar intensity at a specific mass flow rate. The thermal efficiency increased by 9% at a solar intensity of 425–790 W/m2 and mass flow rate of 0.09 kg/s. The theoretical and experimental analysis showed a similar trend as well as close agreement. Moreover, a cost-effectiveness model has been developed examine the cost benefit ratio of double-pass solar collector with and without fins. Evaluation of the annual cost (AC) and the annual energy gain (AEG) of the collector were also performed. The results show that the double-pass solar collector with fins is more cost-effective compared to the double-pass solar collector without fins for mass flow rate of 0.01–0.07 kg/s. Also, simulations were obtained for the double-pass solar collector with fins at Nusselt number of 5.42–36.21. The energy efficiency of collector increases with the increase of Nusselt number. The results show that by increasing the Nusselt number simultaneously would drop the outlet temperature at any solar intensity. Increase in Nusselt number causes an increase in energy efficiency. On the other hand, the exergy efficiency has been obtained, which the fluctuation of exergy efficiency was based on the Nusselt number, collector length and solar intensity level.