Experimental study comparing the effects of using reflector on the performance of solar water heater using spiral pipe

Abstract

Abstract Solar water heating systems are an efficient technology for utilizing solar energy to generate heat without the need for fuel consumption. Among the various methods available for converting solar energy into heat, flat plate solar collectors with parallel pipes are the most popular, with minimal production and operational costs. To overcome the weaknesses of flat plate solar collectors, continuous development is needed to improve their performance. In general, improving collector efficiency depends on the capacity of the absorbing medium, the rate of heat loss, and the type of absorbing and reflecting materials. The use of reflectors serves to reflect solar radiation back to the surface of the spiral pipe, thereby increasing the amount of thermal energy absorbed by the fluid in the system, while the spiral shaped solar collector design has advantages over other solar collectors. The purpose of this study is to improve efficiency using mirror reflectors through experimental performance testing, compared to without reflectors. The experimental results show that the use of mirror reflectors in solar water heating systems can increase pipe area efficiency from 19% to 30%, and collector area efficiency from 12% to 18%. The combination of spiral pipes and mirror reflectors has been proven to improve thermal performance, enabling solar water heating systems to produce hot water more quickly and stably, making them suitable for use in households, public facilities, and small industries.

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