Finite Element Analysis of a Solar Collector

1
Finite Element Analysis of a Solar Collector

• Heather Beaudoin
• May 18, 1999
• MIE 605
• Prof. Grosse

2
Overview of a Solar Collector System

• Flat Plate Collector
• Storage
• Pump
• Heat Exchanger

3
The Model

• Variables
• Plate Thickness
• Air Space
• Glass Thickness

4
Material Properties

• Aluminum
• Thermal conductivity, Kal 204 W/m-C
• Emissivity, ?al1
• Glass
• Thermal conductivity, Kglass 0.78 W/m-C
• Emissivity, ?al0.9
• Insulation
• Thermal conductivity, Kal 0.048 W/m-C
• Emissivity, ?al0.95
• Air
• Thermal conductivity, Kglass 0.03 W/m-C

5
Elements

• Thermal Solid Element
• plane55
• Conduction Link
• link32
• Super Element
• matrix50
• Surface Element
• surf19

6
The Meshed Model
7
Modes of Heat Transfer

• Radiation
• Outside Surfaces of Glass and Insulation
• Inside Surfaces of Glass,Insulation, and Aluminum
• Convection
• Outside Surfaces of Glass and Insulation
• Inside the Air Space
• Conduction
• Inside the Air Space

8
Loads Applied

• Constant Heat Flux on Aluminum Plate
• 628.85 W/m2
• Convection on Outside Surfaces
• 20 W/m2 -C
• Ambient Temperature
• 26 -C

9
Analysis

• Steady State Thermal Analysis
• 2-Dimensional
• Non-Linear
• Radiation is a non-linear analysis

10
Results
11
Results
12
Results
13
Results
14
Results

• Plate Temperature
• 89.247C
• Plate thickness
• 0.010 meters
• Glass thickness
• 0.005 meters
• Air Gap Height
• 0.075 meters

15
Comparison To Theory
16
Conclusions

• Compares Favorably to Theory
• Future Work
• Add Fluid Element
• Add More Layers of Glass

17
Questions?