Performance Assessment of Solar Air Heater Channel with Inclined Groove Turbulators

Main Article Content

N. Koolnapadol
P. Promvonge
C. Khanoknaiyakarn
P. Promthaisong
P. Hoonpong
A. Chaimanatsakun
S. Gururatana
S. Skullong

Abstract

An experimental investigation was carried out to explore the thermal performance and frictional loss features in a solar air heater (SAH) channel that was intentionally roughened on the absorber surface using multiple inclined groove turbulators. The working fluid, air, flows into the SAH channel, which has a consistent surface heat flux for Reynolds numbers (Re) varying between 5290 and 22,600 in the current research. Thermal characteristics at a single inclination angle (a = 45°) are investigated in this research by comparing the effects of three distinct relative groove frequencies (P/H=PR=0.8, 1.2 and 1.6) and groove depth ratios (D/H=DR=0.16, 0.24 and 0.32). The findings highlight that the employ of inclined grooves results in a noticeable rise in Nusselt number (Nu) from 1.24 to 2.82 times relative to the smooth absorber plate (smooth channel), as well as a 1.88 to 7.9 times increase in friction factor (f). The Nu and f show an increasing trend when Re increases, whereas the opposite pattern occurs as DR and PR increase. At PR = 0.8 and DR = 0.32, the inclined groove roughness has the largest     thermal effectiveness factor (TEF) of around 1.64. The Nu and f correlations, which are functions of inclined groove features, have also been established.

Article Details

How to Cite
Koolnapadol, N., Promvonge, P., Khanoknaiyakarn, C., Promthaisong, P., Hoonpong, P., Chaimanatsakun, A., Gururatana, S., & Skullong, S. (2025). Performance Assessment of Solar Air Heater Channel with Inclined Groove Turbulators. Journal of Research and Applications in Mechanical Engineering, 13(2), JRAME–25. retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jrame/article/view/257852
Section
RESEARCH ARTICLES

References

Tamna S, Skullong S, Thianpong C, Promvonge P. Heat transfer behaviors in a solar air heater channel with multiple V-baffle vortex generators. Sol Energy. 2014;110:720–735.

Naphon P, Wiriyasart S. Investigation on performance analysis of a small solar electric generator. Case Stud Therm Eng. 2021;27:101224.

Skullong S, Promvonge P, Jayranaiwachira N, Thianpong C. Experimental and numerical heat transfer investigation in a tubular heat exchanger with delta-wing tape inserts. Chem Eng Process Process Intensif. 2016;109:164–177.

Koolnapado N, Hoonpong P, Skullong S, Kammul P, Promvonge P. Turbulent heat transfer and pressure loss in a square-duct heat exchanger with inclined-baffle inserts. Eng J. 2017;21:485–497.

Kwankaomeng S, Promvonge P. Numerical prediction on laminar heat transfer in square duct with 30° angled baffle on one wall. Int Commun Heat Mass Transf. 2010;37:857–866.

Promvonge P, Skullong S. Heat transfer in a tube with combined V-winglet and twin counter-twisted tape. Case Stud Therm Eng. 2021;26:101033.

Jayranaiwachira N, Promvonge P, Thianpong C, Skullong S. Entropy generation and thermal performance of tubular heat exchanger fitted with louvered corner-curved V-baffles. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2023;201:123638.

Skullong S. Performance enhancement in a solar air heater duct with inclined ribs mounted on the absorber. J Res Appl Mech Eng. 2017;5:55–64.

Hoonpong P, Skullong S. Performance improvement of solar air heater with v-baffles on absorber plate. J Res Appl Mech Eng. 2018;6:29–39.

Promthaisong P, Skullong S. Thermal characterization in circular tube inserted with diamond-shaped rings. J Res Appl Mech Eng. 2019;7:1–10.

Bisht YS, Pandey SD, Chamoli S. Experimental investigation on jet impingement heat transfer analysis in a channel flow embedded with V-shaped patterned surface. Energy Sources Part A. 2023;45:12520–12534.

Singh H, Kishore C, Chamoli S, Joshi A. Enhancing heat transfer in rectangular solar air heater channels: a numerical exploration of multiple Boomerang-shaped roughness elements with variable gaps. Energy Sources Part A. 2024;46:6696–6712.

Lertnuwat B. Effect of the number and placement of punched holes in rectangular winglet vortex generators on solar air heater performance. Energy Convers Manage X. 2024;24:100714.

Promvonge P, Thianpong C, Jayranaiwachira N, Nakhchi ME, Skullong S. Effect of trapezoidal louvered winglets on increased heat transfer and exergy in tubular heat exchanger. Int J Therm Sci. 2024;204:109214.

Promvonge P, Jayranaiwachira N, Promthaisong P, Nakhchi ME, Skullong S. Thermal effectiveness analysis of heat exchange tube with staggered louver-punched V-baffles. Int Commun Heat Mass Transf. 2024;159:108052.

Tang XY, Zhu DS. Flow structure and heat transfer in a narrow rectangular channel with different discrete rib arrays. Chem Eng Process Process Intensif. 2013;69:1–14.

Promvonge P, Khanoknaiyakarn C, Sripattanapipat S, Skullong S. Heat transfer in solar air duct with multi-V-ribbed absorber and grooved back-plate. Chem Eng Res Des. 2021;168:84–95.

Jayranaiwachira N, Promvonge P, Thianpong C, Skullong S. Thermal-hydraulic performance of solar receiver duct with inclined punched-ribs and grooves. Case Stud Therm Eng. 2022;39:102437.

Taslim ME, Li T, Kercher DM. Experimental heat transfer and friction in channels roughened with angled, V-shaped, and discrete ribs on two opposite walls. ASME J Turbomach. 1996;118:20–28.

Yadav AS, Bhagoria JL. A CFD based thermo-hydraulic performance analysis of an artificially roughened solar air heater having equilateral triangular sectioned rib roughness on the absorber plate. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2014;70:1016–1039.

Kumar A, Saini RP, Saini JS. Development of correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor for solar air heater with roughened duct having multi v-shaped with gap rib as artificial roughness. Renew Energy. 2013;58:151–163.

Rashidi S, Hormozi F, Sundén B, Mahian O. Energy saving in thermal energy systems using dimpled surface technology – A review on mechanisms and applications. Appl Energy. 2019;250:1491–1547.

Sethi M, Varun, Thakur NS. Correlations for solar air heater duct with dimpled shape roughness elements on absorber plate. Sol Energy. 2012;86:2852–2861.

Jin DX, Lee YP, Lee DY. Effects of the pulsating flow agitation on the heat transfer in a triangular grooved channel. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2007;50:3062–3071.

Eiamsa-ard S, Promvonge P. Numerical study on heat transfer of turbulent channel flow over periodic grooves. Int Commun Heat Mass Transf. 2008;35:844–852.

Luo L, Wen F, Wang L, Sundén B, Wang S. On the solar receiver thermal enhancement by using the dimple combined with delta winglet vortex generator. Appl Therm Eng. 2017;111:586–598.

Chokphoemphun S, Hongkong S, Thongdaeng S, Chokphoemphun S. Experimental study and neural networks prediction on thermal performance assessment of grooved channel air heater. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2020;163:120397.

Zhang F, Liao G, Sundén B. Numerical investigations on the effect of convex-dimple streamwise arrangements on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of rectangular convex-dimple-grooved channels. Numer Heat Transf Part A. 2020;78:443–460.

ASME. Standard Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using Orifice, Nozzle and Venturi. ASME MFC-3M-1984. New York: United Engineering Center; 1984:1–56.

Promvonge P, Skullong S. Thermal-hydraulic performance enhancement of solar receiver channel by flapped V-baffles. Chem Eng Res Des. 2022;182:87–97.

Promvonge P, Promthaisong P, Skullong S. Experimental and numerical thermal performance in solar receiver heat exchanger with trapezoidal louvered winglet and wavy groove. Sol Energy. 2022;236:153–174.

Moffat RJ. Describing the uncertainties in experimental results. Exp Therm Fluid Sci. 1988;1:3–17.

Incropera FP, Witt PD, Bergman TL, Lavine AS. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2006.