Thermal Characteristics of Solar Collector with Improved Absorber Configurations

Solar absorber is the central component of any solar thermal device. It influences the thermal characteristics and performances of all solar thermal devices. The improved absorber with honeycomb structure can enhance the thermal characteristics of solar thermal collector. The improved absorber with nano composite coatings can also enhance the thermal characteristics of solar thermal collector. In this connection, the present investigation was devoted not only to test the improved absorber with honeycomb structure and nano composite coatings but also to test the solar collector integrated with improved absorber. The outcomes of experimentation on solar absorber revealed that the crystallite sizes in the carbon and Fe2O3 (70:30) coating on absorber were in nano ranges.  The outcomes of experimentation on solar collector and device revealed that the instantaneous thermal performances of solar air heating collector ranged between 65.3% and 70.1% and efficiency of solar air heating device was 51.4%. As the solar collector with improved solar absorber contributed substantial thermal enhancements of working fluid, it could be concluded that the solar collector with honeycomb structured and nano composite coated absorber would be utilized in application sectors as per the temperature requirements of end users.