Design, fabrication and performance studies of a CPC collector | |
| Author | Huang, Shaojiong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. ET-02-19 |
| Subject(s) | Solar water heaters Solar heating Solar collectors |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering. School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. ET-02-19 |
| Abstract | A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) solar collector for water and air heating was designed, fabricated and tested. The CPC collector system consists of four main parts: (1) two reflectors for concentrating solar radiation onto the absorber assembly, (2) an absorber assembly for absorbing the solar radiation on the absorber plate and transferring heat to the fluid required be heated, (3) a circulating water pump I feeding air blower and ( 4) a horizontal storage tank. This system has an aperture area of 2.78 m 2 • Its concentration ratio was 2.36. The performance of the CPC collector system was evaluated in terms of efficiency, outlet temperature, and fluid temperature rise. No load tests were conducted in the air heat mode showed that the maximum temperature of the absorber plate was about 160°C. Air heating tests were conducted in clear sky condition. The efficiencies were dependent on the different airflow rate. The efficiencies increased from 17% to 24% when the airflow rate increased from 17 to 28 m3 /h-m/ Temperatures of air above 100°C were obtained, which indicates that such collectors could be used for many industrial and drying applications. Water heating tests were conducted in clear and partly cloudy sky condition. The maximum outlet water temperature was at 98°C. The efficiency was about 21 %. The observed temperatures of plate and outlet water were compared with the theoretical predictions. Comparative studies with flat collector showed that the plate temperature and hot water outlet temperatures were higher than that of flat plate temperature by more than 20°C on an average. Improved CPC systems could be used for commercial and industrial applications. Recommendations for improving the efficiency have been pointed out and suggestions for further studies have been given. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. ET-02-19 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, S. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bhattacharya, S.C. ; Surapong Chirarattananon |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | CSC (China Scholarship Council) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |