Theoretical and numerical analysis of the fixed flat-plate solar collector with Sn-Al2O3 selective absorber and gravity water flow

Abstract

This paper presents two methods (theoretical and numerical) for the thermal analysis of the previously experimentally installed solar collector construction at the Faculty of Engineering in Kragujevac ? a fixed flat-plate solar collector with Sn-Al2O3 selective absorber and gravity water flow. The theoretical research was based on the application of a specific calculation algorithm with a triple iterative procedure, i.e. with a three-stage check of all important performance indicators of the fixed flat-plate solar collector. In the numerical phase of the research, simple linear regression was applied to experimentally measured values of solar radiation intensity and experimentally determine values of heat power to form simple equations that could be used to predict the thermal performance of similar solar structures in the future. The results of theoretical and numerical studies showed agreement with experimental studies, because in the first case, the absolute measurement error was less than 10%, while in the second case, the determination coefficient was greater than 90%, so the authors hope that this work will be useful to the wider scientific community.