Energetic and exergetic aspects of solar air heating (solar collector) systems

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 21; pp. 59 - 83
• Main Authors: Oztop, Hakan F., Bayrak, Fatih, Hepbasli, Arif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Accumulators; air; air heaters; Applied sciences; Collectors; Design engineering; Energy; energy costs; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Exergy; heat transfer; Heat transfer enhancement; Heating; Mathematical models; Natural energy; Performance assessment; Renewable energy; Solar air heater; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Thermodynamics, mechanics etc. For energy applications; Heat transfer enhancement; Exergy; Renewable energy; Solar air heater; Solar energy
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.12.019

Solar air heating (solar collector) is a renewable heating technology and provides heat using solar energy. With fuel costs and other factors, solar air heaters (SAHs) are getting more attention. The energetic and exergetic performance of SAHs is influenced by a number of factors. The present study reviews the previously conducted studies and applications in terms of design, performance assessment, heat transfer enhancement techniques, experimental and numerical works, thermal heat storage, effectiveness compassion and recent advances. It may be concluded that energy analysis method has been used in a number of studies while exergy analysis method has been applied to the relatively low numbers of systems. Energy efficiencies of solar air collectors reviewed varied from 47% and 89%. It is expected that this comprehensive study will be very beneficial to everyone involved or interested in the energetic and exergetic design, simulation, analysis, test and performance assessment of SAHs.