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Energy and exergetic analysis of a solar air heater for enhanced thermohydraulic performance with side wall treatment

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  • Hegde, Avinash K.
  • Pai, Raghuvir
  • Karanth, K. Vasudeva

Abstract

This numerical study investigates the performance enhancement of a solar air heater using side wall treatment for a Reynolds numbers range of 3000–24000. Thermal enhancement is evaluated for various kinds of straight and tapered side wall designs. The simulations use a DO radiation model to simulate heat inducement due to solar radiation inside the numerical domain. Notably, at a Re of 24000, the SSW 40 and TSW (40-10) configurations had maximal thermal efficiencies of 89.25 % and 90.62 % respectively. The TSW (40-10) arrangement exhibits the highest exergy efficiency at 4.08 %. Environmental assessments show a CO2 mitigation rate of 1.06 tCO2/year and an annual environmental cost of $15.5. Furthermore, the energy payback time is estimated at 2.5 months, but the exergy payback time is more than a decade. Enhanced solar air heater designs increase energy efficiency, making renewable heating systems more viable for both residential and commercial customers. This results in lower CO2 emissions and faster economic returns, promoting widespread adoption of green technologies.

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  • Hegde, Avinash K. & Pai, Raghuvir & Karanth, K. Vasudeva, 2025. "Energy and exergetic analysis of a solar air heater for enhanced thermohydraulic performance with side wall treatment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:315:y:2025:i:c:s0360544224041112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134333
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