Optimization of a smooth flat plate solar air heater using stochastic iterative perturbation technique

Due to low heat transfer capability, the thermal efficiency of solar collectors is very low and various techniques are implemented to increase the performance of solar air heaters. There is a need for optimization of design and operating parameters for maximizing the thermal gain from the solar air heating systems. In this paper a stochastic iterative perturbation technique (SIPT) is implemented to obtain the optimized set of different system and operating parameters i.e. the number of glass cover plate, emissivity of the plate, mean plate temperature, rise in temperature, tilt angle and solar radiation intensity for different Reynolds number. The results obtained have also been compared with the results obtained from genetic algorithm and random search global optimization technique for smooth flat plate solar air heater.

► This research work proposes an algorithm based upon stochastic iterative perturbation technique. ► It predicts the set of optimized design and operating parameters of SFPSAH for maximum thermal performance. ► Effect of design and operating parameters on thermal performance of SFPSAH is adjudged quite satisfactorily. ► The results calculated from SIPT are compared with GA and RSGO and took less computational time.