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<p>Solar air heaters (SAHs) are widely used for heating applications, but their efficiency is often limited by inadequate heat transfer and thermal losses. This study explores the thermal and exergy performance of SAHs with optimized circular fin geometries and phase change material (PCM) integration. Three configurations, plain SAH, SAH with fins, and SAH with fins integrated with PCM, were systematically evaluated under identical outdoor conditions. Circular hollow fins of varying heights (60&#xa0;mm, 90&#xa0;mm) and diameters (15&#xa0;mm, 30&#xa0;mm) were tested to assess their impact on heat transfer, heat loss, and efficiency. Larger fins increased the heat transfer surface area, promoting turbulence and improving convective heat transfer. Case-4 with PCM, featuring 90&#xa0;mm height and 30&#xa0;mm diameter fins, achieved the highest thermal efficiency of 61.4% and exergy efficiency of 6.36%. The PCM further stabilized outlet temperatures, with a notable improvement of 5.9&#xa0;°C over non-PCM configurations, ensuring consistent performance during fluctuating solar radiation. The average heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number for Case-4 with PCM improved by 185% and 150%, respectively, compared to the plain SAH. Heat loss was significantly reduced by up to 76.6%, with Case-4 with PCM achieving the lowest heat loss of 41.7 W. Overall, PCM integration enhanced heat gain and sustained outlet temperatures, improving SAH effectiveness during low solar intensity. These findings support efficient solar thermal systems for applications like drying, agriculture, and industrial heating, emphasizing SAHs' role in global energy sustainability.</p>

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Influence of fin height and diameter with PCM on the thermal performance of solar air heaters

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月22日

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  • Ramalingam Senthil,
  • Senthil Kumar Vishnu,
  • P. Balakrishnan

摘要

Solar air heaters (SAHs) are widely used for heating applications, but their efficiency is often limited by inadequate heat transfer and thermal losses. This study explores the thermal and exergy performance of SAHs with optimized circular fin geometries and phase change material (PCM) integration. Three configurations, plain SAH, SAH with fins, and SAH with fins integrated with PCM, were systematically evaluated under identical outdoor conditions. Circular hollow fins of varying heights (60 mm, 90 mm) and diameters (15 mm, 30 mm) were tested to assess their impact on heat transfer, heat loss, and efficiency. Larger fins increased the heat transfer surface area, promoting turbulence and improving convective heat transfer. Case-4 with PCM, featuring 90 mm height and 30 mm diameter fins, achieved the highest thermal efficiency of 61.4% and exergy efficiency of 6.36%. The PCM further stabilized outlet temperatures, with a notable improvement of 5.9 °C over non-PCM configurations, ensuring consistent performance during fluctuating solar radiation. The average heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number for Case-4 with PCM improved by 185% and 150%, respectively, compared to the plain SAH. Heat loss was significantly reduced by up to 76.6%, with Case-4 with PCM achieving the lowest heat loss of 41.7 W. Overall, PCM integration enhanced heat gain and sustained outlet temperatures, improving SAH effectiveness during low solar intensity. These findings support efficient solar thermal systems for applications like drying, agriculture, and industrial heating, emphasizing SAHs' role in global energy sustainability.