Applied Energy 20 (1985) 301-316

Performance of a Solar Collector/Storage Water Heater

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari and H. P. Garg

Centre of Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 (India)

SUMMARY This paper presents a general analytical model of a solar collector/ storage water heater in which water is flowing at a constant rate between the glass cover and the absorbingplate. The effects of the variations of the depth of water, its flow velocity and the length of the absorbing plate on the performance of the collector have been studied.

NOMENCLATURE B C
hb

h1
h2
h3

Breadth of the collector (m). Specific heat of the water (J/kg C). Heat transfer coefficient from the insulation to the ambient environment (W/m 2 C). Convective heat transfer coefficient from the water to the glass cover
( W / m 2 C).

H~ lw Li

Radiative heat transfer coefficient from the glass cover to the ambient environment ( W / m 2 C). Heat transfer coefficient from the absorbing surface to the water (W/m 2 C). Intensity of solar radiation ( W / m / ) . Thickness of the water layer (m). Thickness of the insulation (m).

301 Applied Energy 0306-2619/85/$03.30 Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England, 1985. Printed in Great Britain

302

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. Garg

rh n t

Mass flow rate ( B X p Uo) (kg/s). An integer. Time. T a Ambient temperature (C). T o Glass temperature (C). Tp Plate temperature (C). T w Water temperature (C). U o Flow rate (m/s). X Thickness of the water (kg/m3).
Greek symbols

r p

Absorptivity of bottom black surface. Transmissivity of the glass. 21t per period (radians per second). Density of the water (kg/m3).

INTRODUCTION Various authors 1-6 have studied the transient behaviours of shallow solar ponds consisting of rectangular metallic tanks filled with water and covered with glass and insulated on all sides and at the bottom in order to reduce the rates of heat loss. In all such analyses, no account is taken of the need to withdraw hot water from the proposed solar water heater. Recently, Sodha et al. 6 presented a simple transient analysis for the behaviour of a solar collector/storage water heater from which water is withdrawn at a constant flow rate. In the present investigation, a simplified general analytical model for predicting the performance of a solar collector/storage water heater has been developed which takes into account the effect of the variation of the thickness of the water, its flow velocity and the length of the absorber plate. ANALYSIS It is assumed that water absorbs radiation and that the heat capacity of the glass cover is negligible. Solar radiation falls on the top transparent glass cover and then on the water, and is absorbed both by the water and the blackened bottom surface of the collector. Some of the energy gained

Performance of a solar collector~storage water heater

303

Solar

radiation

; Inlet : _ ~ -

~ ~

1 ~

Glass

cov.r

Black surface |nsu[otion

=.7 j

~/~ ["tOdire/ W
(hi
Fig. 1.

(a) Schematic diagram of the solar collector/storage water heater. (b) Crosssectional view of the col!ector/storage water heater in the flow direction.

by the solar radiation is lost to the environment through the bottom insulation. In addition, the water loses energy to the ambient air through the top transparent glass cover. The energy balance equations for a fiat-plate collector (see Fig. 1) experiencing no evaporation may be written as follows:

hi(T,,,- To)=h2(To B l w p C , , , d X 2:~-~' + rhC~, ~ -

T)

(1)
(2)

d T~

~ Tw

d X = [h3(T p - Tw) - h ~ ( T w - T ~ ) ] B d X

o~'cH~ = h3( T p - T,,,) + hb( T p - Ta)

(3)

F r o m eqn. (1), we can write"

hi(T,,,hlh2 To) - hi 4- h 2 ( T . , -

To)

(4)

and, from eqn. (3):

h 3 ( T p - Tw) - h3 4- h b ~rH~

h3

h3hb

h 3 4- h b

(T w - T~)

(5)

304

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari,H. P. Garg

Substituting from eqns (4) and (5) into eqn. (2), one obtains:

OT BlwpCw~ - w + rhC~ ~T~ _ BU[M_ T~] OX

where:

(6)

otzh U = U1 + Uz
U1- - h 3 + h~ U2 - - h I + h2

(7) (8) (9) (10)

h3hb hlh2

As the solar intensity and ambient air temperature are both periodic functions of time, the water temperature will also be a periodic function of time, i.e."
6

Hs = A + S
n=l 6

ANNexp (inogt)

(1 1)

T, = Bo + ~
n=l 6

BNNexp (incot)

(12)

Tw = Tw + S
n=l

Tw, exp(incot)

(13)

where: Auu = A N e x p ( - - i a , ) BNu = B u exp ( - ia'.) i=x/-1 The time independent part of eqn. (6) is given by: (14)
(15)

rnCw ~Tw - BU[M- Tw] OX

(16)

Performance of a solar collector~storage water heater

305

After integrating with X = 0, Two = TrN we obtain:

Two = M o - ( M o - T i n ) e - . x

(17)

where:
~zh Mo=~-Ao+Bo

(18)

and:
BU rhC w

(19)

Hence:

= M "+

MHL

TIN ( e - ~ L - - 1)

(20)

The time dependent part of eqn (6) is given by:

i n o ) M w T w . + rhCw OTw" - B U ( M . ?~X - Tw.)

(21)

Simplifying: c~Tw.
R1 -

Tw,,

- B~ 0 X

(22)

where:
BUM. R1 ~ B U + i m o M w

(23)

and: B1=
B U + inmM w

rnCw

(24)

Integrating eqn. (22) with the boundary condition that, at X = 0, Tw. = T t u N we obtain:
Tw. = R 1 - e - r e X [ R 1 -- TINN]

(25)

At X = L :
Tw.IX=L = R1 - (R~ - T , UN)

(26)

306

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. Garg

The rate of heat gain by the water is given by"

Q = rhCw(Tw - T,)

(27)

where:
6

T I = Tlo + ~
n=l 6

T i n s exp (ino~t)

= Bo+ ~
n=l

BNN exp One)t)

(28)

NUMERICAL CALCULATION Numerical predictions have been made using the following typical values of the involved parameters4: h 3 = 185.8 W / m 2 C h b = 0.79 W / m 2 C U 1 = 25"68 W / m 2 C U z = 0"344 W / m 2 C ~z =0"81 L i = 0"05 m a = 974.08 kg/m 3 C w = 4190.0 J/kg C B = 1.0 M w = BlwCwp l w -- 0.001 m to 0.1 m (X in Figures) U o = 0.0002 m/s to 0"2 m/s rh = BlwP U o kg/s Using the hourly data of solar radiation and ambient temperature as presented in Fig. 2 for a typical hot sunny day (i.e. the 2nd of May, 1980) in New Delhi, calculated Fourier coefficients are shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively, and the predictions are given in Figs 3 to 9. Figures 3 and 5 indicate the water temperature variations for a collector of 1 m 2 area with various water thicknesses and water speeds of U o ,~ 0 m/s and 0.0002 m/s, respectively. The thinnest water film exhibits the highest peak temperature at 13 h in both cases. Figure 4 shows the variation of Tw(C) with the variable flow rates U o for x = 0-02 m and a

PerJbrmance oJ'a solar collector~storage water heater

307

oo

-,,----

/. w / M

sH

Al!suel u!

JoloS
cq

~D

?,

r..,

,fiz
"6

-"2
e-,

z
oo

,.a

u'~ -4'

O ~.T

tt~

3o DI

'duJal

lu a!q uJ X/
0

308

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. Garg

TABLE 1 Fourier Coefficients for Hourly Variations of Solar Intensity on a Horizontal Surface during the 2nd of May, 1980, at New Delhi 0 A,(W/m 2) an(radians) 258.32 1 2 3 2.3236 4.301 1 4 26.3634 0-2618 5 2-4003 0.9606 6 6.2632 6.123 1

399'5025 162.3762 3.215 5 0-157 1

70 X =. 0 . 0 0 1 X ~ 0.02 B=l.0m L=l.0m Uo = 0 X -- 0.04

X ~ 0.06
o ~
i-.-

6o
X =,= 0 - 0 8 X == 0 . 1 0 X == 0 . 2 0 X =0.50 5O 6. E
=

X =

0.90

e--

/-,0

:Jot,

i /~

I 8 T~me O~

I 12 the doy

i 16

1 20

] 2/~

Fig. 3. Variation of the water temperature T,,. (C) with time of day for various water thicknesses from X=0.001 m to X = 0 . 9 0 m for B = 1.0m, L = 1.00m and a flow rate, U,~O.

Per[brmance of a solar collector/storage water heater

309

TABLE 2 Fourier Coefficients for Hourly Variations of the Ambient Air Temperature during the 2nd of May, 1980, at New Delhi n B cry,(radians) 0 39.958 0 1 7.290 0 3.789 8 3 2"2607 0.450 2 4 0-630 1 1.9115 5 0.689 7 4.039 7 5 0.540 7 5.940 7 6 0.260 1 1.390 0

70 F

&O

L = 1.0 X = 0"02 ~

Uo= 0.0004 Uo=O.O006 Uo= 0-000 8

c~ o

f
Uo= O. 002 SO Uo= 0.006

=, o

?
z,o

30 I 1

I
t.

I
B T,me of

J
12 the doy

I
16 =,

I
20

J
2~

Fig. 4.

Variation of the water temperature with time of day for various flow rates, U,, for B = l . 0 m , L - - l . 0 m a n d X=0-02m.

68--

60--

X = 0.02 X = 0.06 o o

.-~.~..~ ~ --~--'/-"/-

//

L -= 1.0 m

X=O.04 ~ X=
so
0.08

B = 1.0m
Uo = 0.002

X "= 0.10

o
o o

p-

3oi
1

I
/-

[
8 T i m e ~ the

I
12

I
16

I
20

I
2/-.

do"/

Fig. 5. Variation o f the water t e m p e r a t u r e d u r i n g the d a y for v a r i o u s water thicknesses fi-om X = 0.02 m to X = 0 - l 0 m for L = 1.0 m, B = 1.0 m, with a flow rate U o = 0.002 m/s.

60--

L=6.0

B=,.o

\ S " ~

L = s.o

=0.002

///

////
$(

~~-k.X--/ ~ " ~ L

L = ~.o ~2-0 = .

"0

3o

I t.

I 8 T~me ot

I 12 the do',/

i 16

I 20

I 2l,

Fig. 6. Variation of the water t e m p e r a t u r e T . (C) d u r i n g the d a y for various lengths o f collector r a n g i n g f r o m L = l to L = 6 m for a flow rate of U o = 0.002 m / s with B = 1.0 m a n d X = 0.02 m.

6OO
soo

B--.-LO
400 0 300
o

X= 0.10

o.ooo, o

t=l.0

x;o.,
X = O. 0/-.

X=O-08

2OO c "G

100

~"

-)00
-200

I
4

f
8
I~me

12 o| the doy

16

I 20

[
2/*

Fig. 7.

Variation of the rate of heat gained by the water during the day for various water thicknesses for a flow rate, U o = 0-002 m/s with B = 1.0 m and L = 1.0 m.

600

500

I 4001 300,
20(3

B----1.0 L = I. 0 Uo: 0.006

X =

0.10 O.OB 0.06 0.04 0.03'

X:
X = X= X = X =

cJ

0.003

I00 c a c,

-10

-20

-300[ I

[ z.

J 8

J 12 Time of the doy

J ]6

[ 20

1 2L

Fig. 8.

Variation of the rate of heat g a i n e d b y the w a t e r d u r i n g the d a y for a flow rate,

U,, = 0.006 m / s for various w a t e r thicknesses with B = ].0 in a n d L -- |.0 in.

312

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. G a r g
270,

Zt, O

ZlO(

t
o

1ZOO

B =

|.0 L = 6.0 L = %0

U.--" 0.001 X=
1200

0.02 L=4.0 L=3.0

ao

900

L=2.O L --- 1.0

600 o I 300

-30

I
8

I
12

I
16
thQ day

I
20 2~

Time

of

Fig. 9.

Variation of the rate of heat gained by the water during the day for X = 0 . 0 2 m , U o = 0 . 0 0 2 m / s , B = 1.0 m for various lengths of the collector.

collector area of 1 m 2. Figure 6 shows the variation of T w for B = 1.0 m, x = 0"02 m, U o = 0.002 m/s with variable lengths of the collector from 1 to 6 m. An increase in length (i.e. in the area) of the collector increases the water temperature, T w. Figure 4 shows the variation of T w for X = 0.02 m, with the collector area of 1 m 2 having different U o values. Figures 7 and 8 show the variations in the rate of heat gained by the water Q (W) for a I m 2 collector area having flow rates of U o = 0.0002 m/s and U o = 0-006 m/s for various water thicknesses. Figure 9 shows the variation of Q for U o = 0.002 m/s, X = 0-002 m for various lengths of the collector ranging from L = 1.0 to L = 6"0 m. Tables 3, 4 and 5 present the hourly variations of Tw and Q for various water flow rates through a collector of 1 m 2 area. On the basis of above predictions, the following conclusions have been drawn.

Performance of a solar collector~storage water heater

313

II

e,

IIez
. m

tt~

I!

6 II

II

II II

~5 II

~a

314
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M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. Garg

>
0

o. II

II

,~ o . ~

"1

Performance of a solar collector/storage water heater

315

,q

II
e~

H ,.....1

0 o

~a

~a

316

M. S. Husain, G. N. Tiwari, H. P. Garg

For U o ~ 0, T wis not influenced by the length of the collector, whereas, for U o ~, O, the area of the collector being 1 m 2, the variation of X has a significant effect, as shown in Fig. 3. For a water film of 1 mm, the rise in T w is at a maximum around 12 to 13 h. As the thickness of the water increased, T w decreased (see Fig. 3). The same phenomenon took place for Uo = 0"0002 m/s with a collector area of 1 m 2 (Fig. 5). As the flow rate rises, the temperature of the water decreases (as seen in Fig. 4) but the rate of heat gained by the water Q (W) increases with the increase in flow velocity. The rate of heat gain by the water increases with increases in the thickness of the water (see Figs 7 and 8). Both Tw and Q rise with an increase in L (Figs 6 and 9) for fixed values of the flow velocity and collector area. If the effects of such parameter variations are known for a particular locality, it becomes easier to design a solar collector/storage water heater to satisfy a particular requirement.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors are grateful to Professor M. S. Sodha, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, for his encouragement and helpful discussions during the course of this project.

REFERENCES 1. A. I. Kudish and D. Wolf, A compact shallow solar pond hot-water heater, Solar Energy, 21(4) (1978), p. 317. 2. M. S. Sodha, J. K. Nayak, S. C. Kaushik, S. P. Sabberwal and M. A. S. Malik, Performance of a collector/storage solar water heater, Energy Conversion, 19 (1979), p. 41. 3. M. S. Sodha, J. K. Nayak and S. C. Kaushik, Physics of a shallow solar pond water heater, Int. J. Energy Research, 4(4) (1980), p. 323. 4. M. S. Sodha, G. N. Tiwari and J. K. Nayak, Shallow solar pond water heater: An analytical study, Energy Conversion and Management, 21 (1981), pp. 137-9. 5. M. S. Sodha, P. K. Bansal and N. D. Kaushik, Performances of collector/ storage solar water heaters: Arbitrary demand pattern, Energy Conversion and Management, 21(4) (1981), p. 229. 6. M. S. Sodha, P. K. Bansal and S. C. Kaushik, Sample transient thermal model for collector/storage solar water heaters, Int. J. Energy Research, 5(1) (1981), pp. 95-100.