Experimental and numerical thermal analysis of conical solar collector using helical absorber tube


Özakın A. N., Yeşildal F., Öner İ. V., Al Agele A. A. H., Baamel S. M. H.

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, cilt.150, sa.16, ss.12699-12715, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 150 Sayı: 16
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10973-025-14519-8
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Index Islamicus, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.12699-12715
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: CFD, Conical solar collector, Copper helical absorber tube, Heat exchanger
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This article elaborates the conical solar concentrator collector system design and performance evaluation. A simple and innovative solar collector experimental system was constructed to absorb thermal energy from incident solar irradiance more effectively, and experiments were performed to evaluate system efficiency. Tonatiuh software was used to determine the best optical geometry and reflector effectiveness. The thermal performance of a conical collector having a novel helical copper tube along its axis was investigated for use as a domestic hot water collector. The experiments were conducted at three different irradiance values (800, 900, and 1000 W m−2) under indoor conditions using halogen floodlights. Two different water cycles, open and closed, were used in the experimental system. Three flow rates (5, 10, and 15 kg h−1) were used in the heat exchanger’s cycle (open), and five flow rates (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kg h−1) were used in the absorber tube’s cycle (closed). Experimental results showed that the water temperature at outlet increased the most by 16.17 °C for a helical absorber tube with D0 = 10 mm at 1000 W m−2 irradiance and a mass flow rate of 5 kg h−1. Furthermore, the numerical analysis was performed using ANSYS-Fluent Simulation software, and numerical results were consistent with the experimental results.