Thermo-hydraulic performance of solar air heater having multiple v-shaped rib roughness on absorber plates

This paper presents the performance analysis of the effect of geometrical parameters having multiple v-shaped rib roughness on the airflow side of the absorber plates. Mathematical approach and solution procedure for the analysis of such a solar air heater has been developed theoretically and MATLAB code generated for the solution of the mathematical equations. The effect of parameters such as flow Reynolds number and Relative roughness height on the thermohydraulic performance have been examined and compared with the conventional flat plate solar air heater. A substantial improvement in thermal efficiency of roughened solar air heater as compared to smooth one due to appreciable enhancement in heat transfer coefficient. The enhancement in heat transfer coefficient is also accompanied by a considerable enhancement in pumping power requirement due to the increase in friction factor.