NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF CAVITIES-BASED SOLAR AIR HEATER

The transition towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources is a critical global concern. Solar energy is an promising solution to meet the world’s energy demands and solar air heaters (SAHs) are a technology that can harness the energy from the sun for heating air which is used for various applications, including crop drying and heating of building etc. However, their efficiency is limited due to their low heat transfer coefficient. To address this issue, researchers have developed various techniques to improve SAH efficiency. One approach is to introduce absorber plate with artificial roughness. This can be achieved by adding fins or corrugations to absorber plate, to increase the surface area, and improving heat transfer. Another approach is to introduce dimple-shaped cavities in the absorber plate, as a result turbulence and heat transfer improves. Studies have also explored using different materials for of the absorber plate for improving efficiency. Improving the efficiency of SAHs is crucial to maximize their potential as a sustainable energy solution. However, cost and durability are important consideration for widespread adoption .