EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SOLAR AIR HEATER BY VARYING RIBS IN FREE CONVECTION

Abstract

It is proved with an experiment that the rate of heat transfer can be also increased by using variety of ribs. Perforated ribs can give better heat transfer rate as compared with flat collector plate. But the limitation of solar energy i.e. fluctuation in intensity and availability in days only narrows the use of solar air heater. A better solution of use of solar panel to charge battery & use it further in night for heating collector plate could be done. This arrangement will give hot air in night also. Performance of solar air heater is same as we got in day condition if we maintain required collector plate temperature. in this paper the experimental setup of solar air heater is examined for free convection. To avail hot air in night condition, solar panel is installed and connected with battery. Entire experimentation is carried out and the heat transfer rate in v shape ribs & perforated v shape ribs are analyzed.Simultaneously the slight change in thermal efficiency is recorded. Obtained results are compared and discussed in detail. Same experimentation is carried out in night which gives the same behavior on a particular heating temperature.solar panel is the key-stone for this practical which allows use of same setup in night condition.