Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Jan 2024)
Building heating by solar parabolic through collector with metallic fined PCM for net zero energy/emission buildings
Abstract
Net Zero Energy/Emission Buildings is one of the most popular study goals to make systems that are very good for society. In parabolic through collector (PTC) devices, the absorber is a key part of the solar collector that takes in the concentrated sun rays from the mirrors. PTC systems are used to make steam, which is used to heat homes, run restaurants, and do work in factories, among other things. In this work, the PTC absorber was used as a test subject. Phase Change Material (PCM) was used to store heat energy so that it could be used later to heat buildings. This study concentrates on developing a more efficient and effective PTC absorber configuration that can play a pivotal role in achieving Net Zero Energy/Emission Buildings by optimizing the use of solar energy for heating purposes while minimizing energy waste and environmental impact. Hence this investigation aims to maximize the energy efficiency and minimize the exergy efficiency by optimizing the number of Fins and their positions in the PCM-embedded PTC for building heating. In this regard, this investigation considered a different number of fins (2, 4, 8, and 12) and they were placed at angles of 180°, 90°, 45°, and 30° to recover the heat back from the PCM to heat transfer fluid in the absorber. With 8 fins on the absorber, the highest average exit temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) is about 94°. The PTC system's highest average energy and exergy were found to be about 72.3 % and 7.05 %, respectively, at the absorber with 12 fins. The PCM moves heat into the air for building heating uses. This keeps the building warm during the winter. Because of this, the absorber with 12 fins works better than absorbers with less fins. This type of absorber, which is made up of 12 fins, does a good job of meeting the standards of Net Zero Energy/Emission Buildings for heating buildings. When the black material was put on the top of the absorber, it cut down on the amount of heat that was lost to the surroundings.
