Technological and Energy Optimization of the Height of Fins Placed on Flat Absorber for Solar Collector

Abstract

This study proposes the use of solar energy by thermal way, to heat water using a flat solar collector whose absorber is equipped with straight fins. The study concerns the optimization of the height of the fins and is based on the criterion of the absorbed energy with the necessary condition, the realization of the black body at the absorber. For this work, the relationship between the fins height, the fins pitch, the coordinates of the sun and the ones of the collector was established in order to determine, for each period of the day, the number of reflections. The absorbed energy during each of the two unfavorable days and for each given fin height was evaluated. The results show that the optimal height is equal to 5 mm all the days of the year considered. A height less than 5 mm will generate a very significant loss while a height superior to 5 mm generates an insignificant gain