Analyze the Effect of Variations in Shape of Tubes for Flat Plate Solar Water Heater

Vishal G. Shelke, Prof. Chinmay V. Patil

Abstract: Solar water heater is a very simple device and efficient way to absorb energy from the sun rays and use it. Therefore improvement in their operating condition & geometrical would definitely result in saving conventional fuel and cost. The objective of this study was to analysis the effect of variations in shape of tubes for flat plate solar collector. For this study circular tube of 12.7 mm diameter was considered and numerical analysis is carried out with ANSYS CFD FLUENT software. Comparison in inlet and outlet temperature was performed for different heat flux. Further analysis was carried out for different elliptical tube shapes. Outlet temperature of water is compared with circular results and there is a good agreement.

Keywords: Solar energy collector, CFD simulation, Flat Plate Solar Water Heater, Shape of Tubes