Modelling and simulation of an active solar flat plate collector water heater

SAJSET-01-2023-0021

Abstract

The research predicts the weekly performance of an active solar water heating system in the months of June to October under the weather condition of Mubi, Nigeria latitude 10. 26  and altitude 582 m using TRNSYS 16 software. The simulated system consists of an embedded flat plate solar collector (having surface area of 2.10 m² tilted at 10.26  from horizontal). 100 litres thermally insulated vertical storage tank, 20-Watt solar panel and 4.8-Watt solar direct current (DC) pumps (discharging at 240 litres/hr at a maximum head of 3 m). The daily and monthly average weather data from the system were simulated. TRNSYS components (TYPE 109) which represent each physical components of the real system were selected from the components library in the simulation studio. These components were then linked in such a manner that represents how the system works. The parameters describing each component (TYPE 109) of the system was modified according to the system characteristics. The results of the simulation revealed that, the system was capable of meeting the desired daily hot water requirement of 68^oC, 67.5^oC 53^oC, 62.1^oC, and 65.2^oC for the months of June to October respectively at averagely 15 hours of the day. This indicated that the active solar flat plate water heater with area of 2.10 m² adopted tilted at an angle of 10.26  to the horizontal would be capable of producing daily domestic hot water of 100 litres for most part of the months except the month of August where the tank temperature dropped to 53.5 , auxiliary energy might be provided in this month. This indicates that the system would be required to supplement the hot water requirements for industries, hospitals and community – based organization.