IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v11y2018i5p1077-d143554.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Study on the Effect of Distribution Plates in the Manifolds on the Flow Distribution and Thermal Performance of a Flat Plate Solar Collector

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Manuel García-Guendulain

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36885 Salamanca, Gto., Mexico)

  • José Manuel Riesco-Avila

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36885 Salamanca, Gto., Mexico)

  • Francisco Elizalde-Blancas

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36885 Salamanca, Gto., Mexico)

  • Juan Manuel Belman-Flores

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36885 Salamanca, Gto., Mexico)

  • Juan Serrano-Arellano

    (División de Arquitectura e Ingeniería en Energías Renovables, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Huichapan, El Saucillo, 42411 Huichapan, Hgo., Mexico)

Abstract

Flow maldistribution represents a problem of particular interest in the engineering field for several thermal systems. In flat plate solar collectors, the thermal efficiency strongly depends on the flow distribution through the riser tubes, where a uniform distribution causes a uniform temperature distribution and therefore a higher efficiency. In this work, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical analysis has been carried out using the commercial software FLUENT ® , in order to determine the flow distribution, pressure drop and hence the thermal efficiency of a solar collector with distribution flow plates inside the manifolds. The obtained numerical solution for this type of thermal systems has been validated with experimental results available in literature for laminar and turbulent flow. Four distribution plate configurations were analyzed. Results show that using two distribution plates in each of both manifolds improves the flow uniformity up to 40% under the same operating conditions when distribution plates are not used. Besides, it is shown that there exists an increase in the overall pressure drop which is practically negligible for the tilt angles commonly employed in the installation of flat plate solar collectors in Mexico. The use of closed end distribution plates on the dividing and combining manifolds allows the thermal efficiency to become close to the ideal thermal efficiency which is obtained with a uniform flow distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Manuel García-Guendulain & José Manuel Riesco-Avila & Francisco Elizalde-Blancas & Juan Manuel Belman-Flores & Juan Serrano-Arellano, 2018. "Numerical Study on the Effect of Distribution Plates in the Manifolds on the Flow Distribution and Thermal Performance of a Flat Plate Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:5:p:1077-:d:143554
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/5/1077/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/5/1077/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cerón, J.F. & Pérez-García, J. & Solano, J.P. & García, A. & Herrero-Martín, R., 2015. "A coupled numerical model for tube-on-sheet flat-plate solar liquid collectors. Analysis and validation of the heat transfer mechanisms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 275-287.
    2. Chao Zhou & Ruobing Liang & Jili Zhang, 2017. "Optimization Design Method and Experimental Validation of a Solar PVT Cogeneration System Based on Building Energy Demand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Woobin Kang & Yunchan Shin & Honghyun Cho, 2017. "Economic Analysis of Flat-Plate and U-Tube Solar Collectors Using an Al 2 O 3 Nanofluid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Missirlis, D. & Martinopoulos, G. & Tsilingiridis, G. & Yakinthos, K. & Kyriakis, N., 2014. "Investigation of the heat transfer behaviour of a polymer solar collector for different manifold configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 715-723.
    5. Broekaert, Stijn & De Cuyper, Thomas & De Paepe, Michel & Verhelst, Sebastian, 2017. "Evaluation of empirical heat transfer models for HCCI combustion in a CFR engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1141-1150.
    6. Orlando Montoya-Marquez & José Jasson Flores-Prieto, 2017. "The Effect of the Angle of Inclination on the Efficiency in a Medium-Temperature Flat Plate Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, January.
    7. Cruz-Peragon, F. & Palomar, J.M. & Casanova, P.J. & Dorado, M.P. & Manzano-Agugliaro, F., 2012. "Characterization of solar flat plate collectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1709-1720.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Konrad Nering & Krzysztof Nering, 2021. "Validation of Modified Algebraic Model during Transitional Flow in HVAC Duct," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Ge Zhao & Wei Li & Jinsong Zhu, 2019. "A Numerical Investigation of the Influence of Geometric Parameters on the Performance of a Multi-Channel Confluent Water Supply," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Panagiotis Karvounis & Dimitrios Koubogiannis & Elias Hontzopoulos & Antonios Hatziapostolou, 2019. "Numerical and Experimental Study of Flow Characteristics in Solar Collector Manifolds," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Shantia, Alireza & Streicher, Wolfgang & Bales, Chris, 2022. "Effect of tapered headers on pressure drop and flow distribution in a U-type polymeric solar absorber," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 550-560.
    5. Martin Beer & Radim Rybár & Michal Cehlár & Sergey Zhironkin & Peter Sivák, 2020. "Design and Numerical Study of the Novel Manifold Header for the Evacuated Tube Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-12, May.

    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. García-Guendulain, Juan M. & Riesco-Ávila, José M. & Picón-Núñez, Martín, 2020. "Reducing thermal imbalances and flow nonuniformity in solar collectors through the selection of free flow area ratio," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    2. Filipović, Petar & Dović, Damir & Ranilović, Borjan & Horvat, Ivan, 2019. "Numerical and experimental approach for evaluation of thermal performances of a polymer solar collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 127-139.
    3. Shantia, Alireza & Streicher, Wolfgang & Bales, Chris, 2022. "Effect of tapered headers on pressure drop and flow distribution in a U-type polymeric solar absorber," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 550-560.
    4. Pandey, Krishna Murari & Chaurasiya, Rajesh, 2017. "A review on analysis and development of solar flat plate collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 641-650.
    5. Filipović, P. & Dović, D. & Horvat, I. & Ranilović, B., 2023. "Evaluation of a novel polymer solar collector using numerical and experimental methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    6. Zhou, Liqun & Wang, Yiping & Huang, Qunwu, 2019. "Parametric analysis on the performance of flat plate collector with transparent insulation material," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 534-542.
    7. Hernández-Escobedo, Q. & Rodríguez-García, E. & Saldaña-Flores, R. & Fernández-García, A. & Manzano-Agugliaro, F., 2015. "Solar energy resource assessment in Mexican states along the Gulf of Mexico," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 216-238.
    8. Orlando Montoya-Márquez & José Jassón Flores-Prieto, 2018. "Heat Removal Factor in Flat Plate Solar Collectors: Indoor Test Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-12, October.
    9. Islam, Md. Parvez & Morimoto, Tetsuo, 2018. "Advances in low to medium temperature non-concentrating solar thermal technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2066-2093.
    10. Wick, Maximilian & Bedei, Julian & Gordon, David & Wouters, Christian & Lehrheuer, Bastian & Nuss, Eugen & Andert, Jakob & Koch, Charles Robert, 2019. "In-cycle control for stabilization of homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion using direct water injection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 1061-1074.
    11. Pang, Wei & Cui, Yanan & Zhang, Qian & Wilson, Gregory.J. & Yan, Hui, 2020. "A comparative analysis on performances of flat plate photovoltaic/thermal collectors in view of operating media, structural designs, and climate conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    12. Manzano-Agugliaro, F. & Sanchez-Muros, M.J. & Barroso, F.G. & Martínez-Sánchez, A. & Rojo, S. & Pérez-Bañón, C., 2012. "Insects for biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 3744-3753.
    13. Elwekeel, Fifi N.M. & Abdala, Antar M.M., 2023. "Numerical and experimental investigation of the performance of a new circular flat plate collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 581-590.
    14. Lee, Minjung & Ham, Jeonggyun & Lee, Jeong-Won & Cho, Honghyun, 2023. "Analysis of thermal comfort, energy consumption, and CO2 reduction of indoor space according to the type of local heating under winter rest conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    15. Alba Mondragón-Valero & Borja Velázquez-Martí & Domingo M. Salazar & Isabel López-Cortés, 2018. "Influence of Fertilization and Rootstocks in the Biomass Energy Characterization of Prunus dulcis (Miller)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-12, May.
    16. Elguezabal, P. & Lopez, A. & Blanco, J.M. & Chica, J.A., 2020. "CFD model-based analysis and experimental assessment of key design parameters for an integrated unglazed metallic thermal collector façade," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1766-1780.
    17. Hernández-Escobedo, Q. & Saldaña-Flores, R. & Rodríguez-García, E.R. & Manzano-Agugliaro, F., 2014. "Wind energy resource in Northern Mexico," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 890-914.
    18. Erdoğan Arıkan & Serkan Abbasoğlu & Mustafa Gazi, 2018. "Experimental Performance Analysis of Flat Plate Solar Collectors Using Different Nanofluids," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-11, May.
    19. Paniagua, S. & Escudero, L. & Escapa, C. & Coimbra, R.N. & Otero, M. & Calvo, L.F., 2016. "Effect of waste organic amendments on Populus sp biomass production and thermal characteristics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 166-174.
    20. Barbara Zardin & Giovanni Cillo & Carlo Alberto Rinaldini & Enrico Mattarelli & Massimo Borghi, 2017. "Pressure Losses in Hydraulic Manifolds," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.

    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:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:5:p:1077-:d:143554. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.