Investigation of Thermo-Hydraulic Performance for Different Arrangements of Ribs in Rectangular Solar Air Channel

Abstract

Maximization in useful energy yield is of prime concern for all energy utilizing mechanisms. The usefulness of conventional solar air channel is quite low which can be incremented by various arrangements of turbulent geometries. Maximization in heat transfer by turbulent geometries also leads toward greater extent of friction generation which further increases pumping power requirement. In this present study, different arrangements of ribs having geometries of arc and V-shape as turbulent geometry have been investigated for maximization in heat transfer rate at least pumping power requirement. Heat transfer enhancement and friction factor enhancement are found maximum of 6.13 and 5.64 for discrete multiple V-shape ribs at Reynolds number 21000 and 3000, respectively. Thermo-hydraulic performance parameter (THPP) has been computed for selected geometries and found its maximum values of 3.59 for discrete multiple V-shape ribs followed by multiple V-shape ribs with maximum THPP of 3.52 at 21,000 Reynolds number. Results reveal that both the discrete multiple V-shape ribs and multiple V-shape ribs can be used according to need of applications. This study can be useful for choosing most appropriate arrangement of ribs according to the flow conditions of application.