Thermodynamic analysis of sensible heat storage based double pass hybrid solar air heater with and without reflector

Solar air heater or solar heating system is a very useful solar thermal product used for multiple purposes such as drying, space heating, desalination, and various industrial applications for low temperature. In this communication, a comprehensive study on the energy-exergy analysis of sensible heat storage based on double pass solar air heater with and without the reflector. System is manufactured with locally available materials. Heat storage material (Metco material and aluminium scrap mixture) was used under the bottom layer. Three cases of experiments were planned, namely natural mode (case 1), double pass solar heater (case 2) and double pass solar air heater with reflector (case 3). Case 3 shows the superior thermal performance as compared to case 1 and 2. The outlet temperature varies from 36 to 60oC; 35 to 58.20oC and 38.5o to 73.2oC in Cases 1, 2 and 3, respectively. This was mainly due to the application of the reflector. It provided additional input energy to the solar air heater.