Experimental investigation of concentrated solar air-heater with internal multiple-fin array

This paper presents the results of experimental validation of energy conversion in a concentrated solar air-heater with internal multiple-fin array. A novel high temperature solar air heater was proposed to convert solar energy to heat for space heating in climatic conditions of Poland. The aim of the study was to verify the previously created mathematical model of heat transfer processes. The collector’s performance was analysed experimentally against the reduced temperature difference. During the experiments, an electrical air heater was used to change the air temperature at the inlet of the receiver according to the test demands. Additionally, two daily performance evaluation tests were done. During the tests the all-day measured data was collected automatically and recorded at 1-min intervals. Hourly and daily thermal efficiency was calculated. Validation of the model showed its correctness and proved that the model can be accepted. •High temperature solar air heater was analysed for a solar space heating system.•Absorber is characterized with a strongly developed internal heat exchange surface.•Experimental set-up was built and a series of experiments were carried out.•Validation showed correctness of the mathematical model proposed.