Numerical Investigation on Solar Collectors by Using Finite Element Aanalysis

Abstract

Solar energy currently represents the most abundant inexhaustible, nonpolluting, and free energy resources that could have a positive meaning in alleviating the global energy shortage and environmental pollution. However, the solar energy is intermittent in nature and that received on earth is of small flux density due to atmospheric scattering and abortion, making it necessary to use large surfaces to collect solar energy for drying cut tobacco process utilization. The major technologies used for solar energy conversion to heat are thermal processes comprising of solar collectors. In this thesis the fluid flow through solar collectors (flat plate and parabolic trough) is modeled using CREO design software. The thesis will focus on thermal and CFD analysis with different fluids air, water, R30 and R60 of the solar collectors. Thermal analysis done for the solar collectors by steel, aluminum & copper materials.