International Journal of Energy Research, Vol.45, No.4, 5098-5164, 2021
A comprehensive review of experimental investigation procedures and thermal performance enhancement techniques of solar air heaters
This review composition aimed to comprehensively present the experimental investigation procedures and thermal performance augmentation techniques of solar air heaters. Various testing standards such as static and dynamic tests, and performance parameters, such as, thermal, thermo-hydraulic, and exergy efficiencies, are incorporated to present the experimental investigation procedures. The present review work deals with testing conditions (indoor and outdoor), instrumentation, various parameters of interest with corresponding optimum values, their uncertainty levels together with SAH orientation, air flow type, thermal energy storage devices, duct modifications and heat transfer surfaces using fins, baffles, and ribs employed to enhance the thermal performance. The authors of this review work believed that the current composition constitutes a summary of details to quickly access the information for analyzing the various experimental investigation procedures and heat transfer augmentation techniques along with the optimum values of flow and geometric parameters. Moreover, economical and efficient solar air-heating systems with low pressure drop and high heat exchange to air are presented and reviewed.
Keywords:air flow pass;energy and exergy efficiencies;performance enhancement;solar air heater;testing standards