Performance of advanced corrugated-duct solar air collector compared with five conventional designs

This paper presents the results of the experimental investigation and performance analysis of an advanced corrugated duct solar collector. The collector (air heater) is constructed of corrugated surfaces similar to those used for compact heat exchangers, with the air flowing normal to the corrugations. The collector is compared with five other conventional designs constructed and tested during the course of this work. The collectors are compared under the climatic conditions of Cairo (30°N), for the flow rate range of 0.01 to 0.1 kg/sm2 and insolation of 650 to 950 W/m2. The comparison revealed that the efficiency of the corrugated duct collector increases by a ratio of 15–43% over that of the next best conventional design (flow below flat absorber) and at double the efficiency of the base collector.

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