IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v256y2026ipes0960148125018567.html

Deep learning-based prediction of thermal-hydraulic and exergy performance in a novel bidirectional wavy absorber solar air heater

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Dejuan
  • Bai, Zhiqing
  • Samad, Sarminah
  • Abed, Azher M.
  • Li, Yujie
  • Alhumaid, Saleh
  • Dutta, Ashit Kumar
  • Alkhalaf, Salem
  • Khan, Mohammad Nadeem
  • Ali, H. Elhosiny

Abstract

The present work investigates the thermal and exergy performance of a novel bidirectional wavy absorber solar air heater (BWA-SAH) with sinusoidal corrugations in both the transverse and longitudinal directions to enhance heat transfer through increased surface area and turbulence. As compared to conventional studies on unidirectional wavy geometries, the present study extensively examines the impact of significant geometric parameters longitudinal and transversal wavelengths ((Wll/dh), (Wlt/dh), wave amplitudes (Awl/dh), (Awt/dh), and Reynolds number on performance parameters such as Nu number, friction factor, thermohydraulic performance parameter (THPP), and exergy efficiency. A complete numerical investigation is conducted with the assistance of CFD simulations confirmed and accelerated by a trained deep neural network (DNN) model of 243 simulations. The DNN delivers R2 > 0.98 for all performance measures and enables fast prediction with notable speedup compared to CFD simulations. Key findings reveal that smaller longitudinal wavelengths (Wll/dh = 1.35) enhance heat transfer (Nu increases by ∼35 %) but significantly enhance pressure drop (f increases by ∼84 %). Similarly, higher longitudinal amplitudes (Awl/dh = 0.270) raise Nu by ∼20 % but (f by ∼100 %, highlighting a significant trade-off. A higher Reynolds number enhances heat transfer (Nu increases by 108 % as Re rises from 5000 to 15,000), but it reduces the THPP by approximately 11 % and exergy efficiency by about 53 % due to increased irreversibilities. The study confirms that intermediate longitudinal wavelengths (Wll/dh = 2.25) and amplitudes (Awl/dh = 0.16) optimize THPP and exergy efficiency, and low Re (<10,000) minimizes pressure drop penalties. Coupling CFD simulations and DNN modeling provides a robust platform for rapid design optimization, significantly advancing the design of energy-efficient and sustainable solar air heaters. This research paves the way for more affordable and eco-friendly solar thermal systems, further driving global efforts in renewable energy deployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Dejuan & Bai, Zhiqing & Samad, Sarminah & Abed, Azher M. & Li, Yujie & Alhumaid, Saleh & Dutta, Ashit Kumar & Alkhalaf, Salem & Khan, Mohammad Nadeem & Ali, H. Elhosiny, 2026. "Deep learning-based prediction of thermal-hydraulic and exergy performance in a novel bidirectional wavy absorber solar air heater," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PE).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pe:s0960148125018567
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124192
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125018567
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2025.124192?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Poongavanam, Ganesh Kumar & Panchabikesan, Karthik & Leo, Anto Joseph Deeyoko & Ramalingam, Velraj, 2018. "Experimental investigation on heat transfer augmentation of solar air heater using shot blasted V-corrugated absorber plate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 213-229.
    2. Ravi, Ravi Kant & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Experimental investigation on performance of a double pass artificial roughened solar air heater duct having roughness elements of the combination of discrete multi V shaped and staggered ribs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 507-516.
    3. Hedayatizadeh, Mahdi & Sarhaddi, Faramarz & Safavinejad, Ali & Ranjbar, Faramarz & Chaji, Hossein, 2016. "Exergy loss-based efficiency optimization of a double-pass/glazed v-corrugated plate solar air heater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 799-810.
    4. Umar Fahed Alqsair, 2025. "Numerical Simulation and Optimization of a Chevron-Type Corrugated Solar Air Heater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Pardeshi, Poonam S. & Boulic, Mikael & van Heerden, Andries (Hennie) & Phipps, Robyn & Cunningham, Chris W., 2024. "Review of the thermal efficiency of a tube-type solar air heaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    6. Azadani, Leila N. & Gharouni, Nadiya, 2021. "Multi objective optimization of cylindrical shape roughness parameters in a solar air heater," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1156-1168.
    7. Prasad, Jay Shankar & Datta, Aparesh & Mondal, Sirshendu, 2024. "Numerical analysis of a solar air heater with offset transverse ribs placed near the absorber plate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    8. Ravi, Ravi Kant & Saini, Rajeshwer Prasad, 2016. "A review on different techniques used for performance enhancement of double pass solar air heaters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 941-952.
    9. Gao, Wenfeng & Lin, Wenxian & Liu, Tao & Xia, Chaofeng, 2007. "Analytical and experimental studies on the thermal performance of cross-corrugated and flat-plate solar air heaters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(4), pages 425-441, April.
    10. Bensaci, Charaf-Eddine & Moummi, Abdelhafid & Sanchez de la Flor, Francisco J. & Rodriguez Jara, Enrique A. & Rincon-Casado, Alejandro & Ruiz-Pardo, Alvaro, 2020. "Numerical and experimental study of the heat transfer and hydraulic performance of solar air heaters with different baffle positions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 1231-1244.
    11. Karim, Md Azharul & Hawlader, M.N.A, 2006. "Performance investigation of flat plate, v-corrugated and finned air collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 452-470.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vyas, Sagar & Sharma, Amit Kumar & Rai, Anant Kumar, 2024. "Double pass solar air heater with aerofoil and bio-inspired fins: A numerical analysis of thermohydraulic performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    2. Vengadesan, Elumalai & Senthil, Ramalingam, 2020. "A review on recent developments in thermal performance enhancement methods of flat plate solar air collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    3. Alam, Tabish & Kim, Man-Hoe, 2017. "Performance improvement of double-pass solar air heater – A state of art of review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 779-793.
    4. Varun Pratap Singh & Siddharth Jain & Ashish Karn & Ashwani Kumar & Gaurav Dwivedi & Chandan Swaroop Meena & Nitesh Dutt & Aritra Ghosh, 2022. "Recent Developments and Advancements in Solar Air Heaters: A Detailed Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-55, September.
    5. Kabeel, A.E. & Hamed, Mofreh H. & Omara, Z.M. & Kandeal, A.W., 2017. "Solar air heaters: Design configurations, improvement methods and applications – A detailed review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1189-1206.
    6. Mandal, Soumya & Ghosh, Subir Kumar, 2020. "Experimental investigation of the performance of a double pass solar water heater with reflector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 631-640.
    7. Salman, Mohammad & Chauhan, Ranchan & Poongavanam, Ganesh kumar & Park, Myeong Hyun & Kim, Sung Chul, 2022. "Utilizing jet impingement on protrusion/dimple heated plate to improve the performance of double pass solar heat collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 653-665.
    8. Abdelrahman, M.A. & Gaheen, Osama A. & Aziz, Mohamed A. & Rashed, Mostafa R. & Ahmed, Mohamed E.A.E., 2025. "Experimental evaluation of recycled aluminum cans solar air heater: Comprehensive 4E assessments," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    9. Yang, Ming & Yang, Xudong & Li, Xing & Wang, Zhifeng & Wang, Pengsu, 2014. "Design and optimization of a solar air heater with offset strip fin absorber plate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1349-1362.
    10. Mohammadi, K. & Sabzpooshani, M., 2013. "Comprehensive performance evaluation and parametric studies of single pass solar air heater with fins and baffles attached over the absorber plate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 741-750.
    11. Madhwesh Nagaraj & Manu Krishna Reddy & Arun Kumar Honnesara Sheshadri & Kota Vasudeva Karanth, 2022. "Numerical Analysis of an Aerofoil Fin Integrated Double Pass Solar Air Heater for Thermal Performance Enhancement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.
    12. Hedau, Ankush & Saini, R.P., 2023. "Thermo-hydraulic performance of double pass solar air heater duct having semi-circular tubes and perforated blocks as artificial roughness," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 543-562.
    13. Ali Hassan & Ali M. Nikbakht & Sabrina Fawzia & Prasad Yarlagadda & Azharul Karim, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review of the Thermohydraulic Improvement Potentials in Solar Air Heaters through an Energy and Exergy Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-43, March.
    14. Kumar, Rajesh & Chand, Prabha, 2017. "Performance enhancement of solar air heater using herringbone corrugated fins," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 271-279.
    15. Hassan, Hamdy & Abo-Elfadl, Saleh, 2018. "Experimental study on the performance of double pass and two inlet ports solar air heater (SAH) at different configurations of the absorber plate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 728-740.
    16. Ravi, Ravi Kant & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Experimental investigation on performance of a double pass artificial roughened solar air heater duct having roughness elements of the combination of discrete multi V shaped and staggered ribs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 507-516.
    17. Chang, Zehui & Liu, Xuedong & Guo, Ziheng & Hou, Jing & Su, Yuehong, 2025. "Enhancement of frost-melting performance for compound parabolic concentrator during its operation at sunrise hour," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    18. Fudholi, Ahmad & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman, 2019. "A review of solar air flat plate collector for drying application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 333-345.
    19. Chii-Dong Ho & Hsuan Chang & Ching-Fang Hsiao & Chien-Chang Huang, 2018. "Device Performance Improvement of Recycling Double-Pass Cross-Corrugated Solar Air Collectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, February.
    20. Chii-Dong Ho & Hsuan Chang & Zih-Syuan Hong & Chien-Chang Huang & Yu-Han Chen, 2020. "Increasing the Device Performance of Recycling Double-Pass W-Ribs Solar Air Heaters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pe:s0960148125018567. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.