Document Type : Research Article
Authors
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, P. O. Box: 76169-14111, Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Abstract
In this research, the performance of an asphalt solar air collector was experimentally tested and the daily
thermal and exergy efficiencies of the collector were analyzed. The sun's radiant energy is absorbed by asphalt
and converted into thermal energy. Then, it is transmitted to aluminum pipes buried under the asphalt and,
finally, to the air passing through the pipes. A suction fan induces the ambient air to the collector. The
experimental results show that the daily thermal efficiencies at mass flow rates of 0.007 (kg/s) and 0.014 (kg/s)
are 11.98 % and 24.10 % and daily exergy efficiencies are 0.34 % and 0.66 %, respectively, showing the
increase in daily energy and exergy efficiencies with increasing the air mass flow rate. In addition, results
show that as the flow rate increases, the outlet air temperature decreases. The presence of temperature
difference between the inlet and outlet of the collector in the last hours of the day, when the sun's radiation is
low, indicates that asphalt acts as a thermal energy storage medium.
Keywords
Main Subjects
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