1Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
2Dean, College of Engineering, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
3Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
* Author correspondence: Dr. David Santosh Christopher, Associate Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wolaita, Sodo University, Ethiopia
Online published on 4 January, 2021.
Enhancement of heat transfer in solar air heater (SAH) by employingthe artificial roughness inabsorber plate and increasing heat discharge duration by assimilating phase change material (PCM)-paraffin wax were experimentally investigated. A study focused to raise the heat transfer rate at peak radiation and extending heat discharge duration from PCM in OFF sun radiation.The researchis done in two different types of absorber plates positioned in SAH (Type-I - Flat plate) and (Type-II Circular rib in plate) with and without PCM in SAH. Instantaneous thermal efficiency and hourly heat distribution parameters are taken to analyze the augmentation of heat transfer in charging and discharging. The result reveals that Type-II circular rib plate produces higher heat transfer than Type-I due to turbulence in fluid flow and heat discharge duration extend up to 8 pm Indian Standard Time (IST)at nominal temperature.
Solar air heater, PCM, Circular rib absorber plate, Thermal efficiency
