Performance of Solar Air Heater Having Absorber Plate Roughened with Protrusions of Different Shapes

Evaluating thermohydraulic performance in addition to thermal performance of roughened solar air heater (SAH) becomes mandatory in order to take into account the pumping power required to propel air through the duct. In the present paper, effect of various parameters on thermal and thermohydraulic performance of SAH (absorber plate roughened with protrusions of different shapes) have been evaluated by using the mathematical models reported in the literature. On the basis of thermal and thermohydraulic performance, optimum values of roughness geometry parameters have been found and accordingly design plots have been constructed. These plots can be further utilized for designing SAH having the investigated type of roughness geometry.