2.Flat Plate Collectors

• Thermal Power ( Steam )
• Electrical Power ( PV )
SOLAR ENERG Y
H
E
A
T
ELECTRICITY
Collectors
Flat‐Plate Collectors Concentrator Collectors
1. Liquid Collectors 1. Parabolic Collectors
2. Evacuated tube collectors 2. Cylindrical Collectors
3. Dish Collectors
3. Solar Air heaters
Types of Solar Collectors
Low‐temperature Collectors: Ambient – 60o C
Medium‐temperature Collectors: Ambient – 100o C
High‐temperature Collectors: More than 100o C

‐‐ Solar Concentrators
Types of Collector
SOLAR FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR
 In flat -plate collectors there is no optical concentration of sunlight and they are
generally stationary . In addition to this their outlet temperature is below 100 ᴼC.
 However to reach higher temperatures evacuated-tube and concentrating

collectors are used.
 In evacuated tube collectors they use vacuum to reduce heat loss and to protect
the absorber coating from deteration. By this way it can reach up to 140 ᴼC and
they collect both direct beam radiation and diffused beam radiation .
 Concentrated collector are not stable and they follow the sun to get direct beam
radiation .They cannot utilize diffused beam radiations .And they are capable of
producing higher temperature.
FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR
A flat plate collector is basically a black surface that is placed at a convenient path of sun . And a
typical flat plate collector is a metal box with a glass or plastic cover on top and a dark-colored
absorber plate on the bottom. The sides and bottom of the collector are usually insulated to minimize
heat loss
Figure gives example of Flat plate collectors
COMPONENT OF TYPICAL FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
 Absorber plate :
It is made of copper , steel or plastic .The surface is covered with flat black material of high
absorptance . If copper or steel is used it is possible to apply selective coating that maximize the
absorptance of solar energy and minimize the radiation emitted by the plate
CHARACTERISTIC OF ABSORPTIVE MATERIAL
MATERIALS ABSORBTANCE (α) EMITTANCE (ε)
BLACK SILICON PAINT 0.9 0.5
BLACK COPPER 0.85-0.9 0.08-0.12
BLACK CHOROME OVER 0.92-0.94 0.07-0.12

NICKEL
Flow passage :
The flow passages conduct the working fluid through the collector .If the working
fluid is a liquid ,the flow passage is usually a tube that is attached to or is a part of
absorber plate .If the working fluid is air ,the flow passage should be below the
absorber plate to minimize the heat losses
Figure gives an example of flow passages of flat plate collector

Cover plate :
To reduce convective and radiative losses from absorber surface ,one
or two transparent covers are generally place above the absorber
plate .They usually made from glass or plastic
Figure gives an example of cover part of flat plate collector

CHARACTERSTICS OF COVER PLATE MATERIALS
TEST POLYVINLY POLYSTER POLYCARBONATE FIBER GLASS

FLORIDE REINFORCED
PLASTICS
SOLAR TRANSMISSION , 92-94 85 82-89 77-90

%
MAXIMUM OPERATING 110 100 120-135 95

TEMPERATURE , OC
THERMAL EXPANSION 43 27 68 32-40

COEFFICIENT
THICKNESS ,mm 0.1 0.025 3.2 1.0
LENGTH OF LIFE , YEAR 5 4 4-5 7-20

Insulation :
These are some material such as fiber glass and they are place at the back and bottom
of the collector to minimize the heat loss
Figure gives an example of an insulation part of a Flat plate collector

CHARACTERISTIC OF INSULATION MATERIAL
Material Density (kg/m3) Thermal conductivity Temperature ᴼc
(W/m-K )
Fiber glass with 11 0.059 175

organic binder

organic binder

organic binder

organic binder
Casing :
A box that the collector is enclosed in hold the component together,
protect them from weather, facilitates installation of the collector on a
roof or appropriate frame.
` CROSS SECTION OF BASIC FLAT-PLATE COLLECTOR

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
In a flat plate collector sunlight passes through the glazing and strikes
the absorber plate, which heat up, changing solar energy to thermal
energy. Thus the heat is transferred to the fluid passing through the
pipes attached to the absorber plates by means of convective heat
transfer .
Absorber plates are commonly painted with “selective coating ” which
absorb and retain heat better than ordinary black paint.
WORKING OF FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR
COLLECTOR PERFORMANCE
 The thermal performance of the solar flat plate collector can be calculated from
a first law energy balance .According to first law of thermodynamics ,for a
simple flat plate collector an instantaneous steady state- energy balance
useful energy = energy absorbed - heat loss to the

gain (Qu ) by the collector surrounding
OVER ALL LOSS COEFFICIENT
Overall loss coefficient and it is equal to the sum of

top ,bottom , edge loss coefficient
UL =UTOP+UBOTTOM+UEDGE (W/m2K)
ENERGY DIAGRAM FOR FLAT PLATE
COLLECTOR
92% of the total sunshine reaches obsorbertube.8% energy reflected from the
glass.5% sun shine from panel.12% is lost through conduction and convection
(A)DOMESTIC APPLICATION
 Flat plate collectors mainly used in residential building where the demand for hot
water has a large impact on energy bills. This generally means a situation with a
large family, or a situation in which the hot water demand is excessive due to
frequent laundry washing
 For instance, a family of 4 members consumes on an average 100 litre of hot

water a day at 60 ᴼC. Hot water of 100 litre capacity at 60 ᴼC approximate can be
delivered by a single collector system of 2 m2 area
 The solar water heating system are generally provide with auxiliary backup in the
insulated hot storage tank for the rainy and heavily overcast cloudy days
Flat plate collector used for heating building
(B)COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Commercial application include laundromats, car wahes, military laundary facilities

and eating establishments. Solar water heating system are most likely to be cost
effective for facilities with water heating systems that are expensive to operate, or
with operations such as laundries or kitchens that require large quantities of hot water
And unglazed liquid collectors are commonly used to heat water for swimming
pools. Because these collectors need not withstand high temperature, they can use
less expensive materials such as plastics or rubber. They also do not require freeze-
proofing because swimming pools are generally used only in warm weather or can be
drained easily during cold weather
Flat plate collector used for swimming pool
Glazing ‐ Transparent Cover
Acts as a heat trap for IR – reduces radiation losses and convection
Protects the absorber from adverse weather conditions
Materials Used:
 Low‐iron content glass

 UV‐resistant plastic sheet
 Fiber glass
 Reinforced plastic
 Low‐iron glass  highest transmission & lowest reflection – more
suitable
Plastic Glazing
Advantages:
Low weight and cost
Disadvantages:
Reduced lifetime and performance
Plastics used in well‐sealed collector deteriorate, deposits a

liquid on the absorber
Can not be used in fire‐risk residential zones

Requirements of Absorber
Absorbs solar radiation and accumulates most part as long‐wavelength

heat waves.
To reduce energy loss, absorbers should have selective surface coating
Coating converts most part of solar radiation into heat, Simultaneously

reduces emission of heat.
Solar paints are applied galvanically or selective coating. Materials used:

black chrome, black nicket,
aluminium oxide with Ni.
Titanium‐nitride‐oxide layer – better due to low emission rate and production is
energy efficient
Nature of Absorber Material
• Absorber should be resistant to atmospheric conditions
• Good thermal conductivity
• Corrosion‐resistant
• Polymer EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomers) –

non‐covered
• Stagnation‐resistant
Insulating Materials
Insulating Materials prevent heat loss at the back and sides.
Should have high strength to weight ratios at low temperatures. Should be dry or
moisture will be collected
CFC‐free polyurethane foam is superior with minimum heat loss.

Desiccants
Used to absorb moisture
Used in the spaces between two glazing panes Porous bags of silica gel
Enclosure
Used to contain insulation,
Provides support for the absorber and glazing Protects collector from heat
loss due to wind Keeps out moisture
Made of wood cases, Al sheet, galvanized steel

Requirements of enclosure
Must be weather resistant, fireproof, durable, dimensionally stable,

Strong, permanently sealed against moisture
Number of joints and seams should be minimized, completely sealed
Steel should be galvanized
Al should be used with care in areas exposed to salt air or industrial pollution
Mostly used are architural anodized aluminium used in exterior windows
Sometimes fiberglass‐reinforced plastic can be used.

Types of Collector
Cross‐section of evacuated
tube collector

2.Flat Plate Collectors

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2.Flat Plate Collectors

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

2.Flat Plate Collectors

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

• Thermal Power ( Steam )

Flat‐Plate Collectors Concentrator Collectors

1. Liquid Collectors 1. Parabolic Collectors

2. Evacuated tube collectors 2. Cylindrical Collectors

Low‐temperature Collectors: Ambient – 60o C

Medium‐temperature Collectors: Ambient – 100o C

High‐temperature Collectors: More than 100o C

 However to reach higher temperatures evacuated-tube and concentrating

MATERIALS ABSORBTANCE (α) EMITTANCE (ε)

BLACK SILICON PAINT 0.9 0.5

BLACK COPPER 0.85-0.9 0.08-0.12

BLACK CHOROME OVER 0.92-0.94 0.07-0.12

Figure gives an example of flow passages of flat plate collector

Figure gives an example of cover part of flat plate collector

TEST POLYVINLY POLYSTER POLYCARBONATE FIBER GLASS

SOLAR TRANSMISSION , 92-94 85 82-89 77-90

MAXIMUM OPERATING 110 100 120-135 95

THERMAL EXPANSION 43 27 68 32-40

THICKNESS ,mm 0.1 0.025 3.2 1.0

LENGTH OF LIFE , YEAR 5 4 4-5 7-20

Figure gives an example of an insulation part of a Flat plate collector

Fiber glass with 11 0.059 175

Fiber glass with 16 0.050 175

Fiber glass with 24 0.045 175

Fiber glass with 48 0.43 175

` CROSS SECTION OF BASIC FLAT-PLATE COLLECTOR

useful energy = energy absorbed - heat loss to the

Overall loss coefficient and it is equal to the sum of

 For instance, a family of 4 members consumes on an average 100 litre of hot

Commercial application include laundromats, car wahes, military laundary facilities

Protects the absorber from adverse weather conditions

 Low‐iron content glass

Low weight and cost

Reduced lifetime and performance

Plastics used in well‐sealed collector deteriorate, deposits a

Can not be used in fire‐risk residential zones

Absorbs solar radiation and accumulates most part as long‐wavelength

To reduce energy loss, absorbers should have selective surface coating

Coating converts most part of solar radiation into heat, Simultaneously

Solar paints are applied galvanically or selective coating. Materials used:

• Good thermal conductivity

• Polymer EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomers) –

Insulating Materials prevent heat loss at the back and sides.

moisture will be collected

CFC‐free polyurethane foam is superior with minimum heat loss.

Used to absorb moisture

Used to contain insulation,

loss due to wind Keeps out moisture

Made of wood cases, Al sheet, galvanized steel

Must be weather resistant, fireproof, durable, dimensionally stable,

Number of joints and seams should be minimized, completely sealed

Steel should be galvanized

Mostly used are architural anodized aluminium used in exterior windows

Sometimes fiberglass‐reinforced plastic can be used.

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.