Degree
Master of Engineering Science
Program
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Supervisor
Dr. Kamran Siddiqui
Abstract
An experimental study on the thermal flow behavior inside a flat-plate collector and the impact of insert devices (passive heat transfer enhancement techniques) on the thermal performance of the collector is presented. Temperature fields were obtained for different Reynolds numbers (250-650) and at different inclination angles of the collector. The results show that a stratified flow is developed inside the collector and the warmer fluid restricts itself to the upper portion of the collector only. Various new configurations of the conventional insert devices were tested over a wide range of Reynolds number (200-8000). Comparison of these devices show that in laminar flow regime, wire mesh proves to be an effective insert device and enhances Nusselt number by 270% while in turbulent flow regime while in Reynolds number range 2700-8000, concentric coil insert significantly increases the heat transfer and an increase of 460% in Nusselt number is witnessed.
Recommended Citation
Sandhu, Gurveer Singh, "Experimental Investigation of the Fluid Temperature Field and the Thermal Performance of Insert Devices in a Flat-Plate Solar Collector" (2012). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 1007.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/1007