Three-dimensional numerical analysis of the thermo-aerodynamic characteristics of air- plane solar collectors and improving thermal efficiency through baffle design: a comparative CFD study

Abstract This work consists of an aerodynamic and thermal study of four types of flat air solar collectors equipped with different baffles and which are: the solar collector with baffles in a triangular shape (SCTS), the solar collector with baffles in a small V shape (SCSV), the solar collector with large V baffles (SCLV) and Solar collector with transverse baffles in a triangular shape (SCTBTS). We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to provide a set of results on the velocity and temperature fields that resolve the turbulence in the air stream for the three models studied. The introduction of baffles to the air stream will cause an increase in speed and turbulence which improves heat transfer between the absorber and the heat transfer fluid.