Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber
Abstract Flat plate solar water heater (FPSWH) is the most commonly used solar water heating system in domestic and commercial sectors due to its simple operation and cost-effectiveness. However, the water temperature range is limited due to the poor heat absorption and higher heat loss, which is co...
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01361-z |
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| author | Elumalai Vengadesan K. Gnanasekaran |
| author_facet | Elumalai Vengadesan K. Gnanasekaran |
| author_sort | Elumalai Vengadesan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Flat plate solar water heater (FPSWH) is the most commonly used solar water heating system in domestic and commercial sectors due to its simple operation and cost-effectiveness. However, the water temperature range is limited due to the poor heat absorption and higher heat loss, which is controlled by the absorber geometry and inlet water temperature. Hence, this study aims to improve the useful heat absorption and reduce heat loss in FPSWH by incorporating an additional inlet on the modified absorber. The inlet sections at the top and bottom of the absorber allow low-temperature water to enter, while the baffles guide the flow in a serpentine pattern. Finally, the heated water exits through a common outlet at the center of the absorber. The combination of low inlet water temperature and an enhanced fluid flow path improves heat absorption efficiency. A real-time experimental test result of this study shows that the absorber temperature is reduced through improved temperature distribution, lowering heat loss by 3.8–4.2% compared to a single inlet absorber. The average heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number are 451 W/m2K and 17, respectively, representing increases of 15.3% and 15.4% over the single inlet absorber. Furthermore, energy and exergy efficiencies of 87% and 7.3% are achieved, which are 18.2% and 23.7% higher than those of the single inlet absorber, respectively. The economic and environmental analysis indicates that the higher annual useful energy (13.2–25%) of the dual inlet absorber leads to a shorter payback time and greater CO2 emission mitigation compared to the single inlet absorber. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7cf67d4ef50a4f149c27efb546cc413e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
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| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-7cf67d4ef50a4f149c27efb546cc413e2025-08-20T02:30:49ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-06-016111910.1007/s43621-025-01361-zComprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorberElumalai Vengadesan0K. Gnanasekaran1Centre for Sustainable Materials and Surface Metamorphosis, Chennai Institute of TechnologySt. Joseph’s College of EngineeringAbstract Flat plate solar water heater (FPSWH) is the most commonly used solar water heating system in domestic and commercial sectors due to its simple operation and cost-effectiveness. However, the water temperature range is limited due to the poor heat absorption and higher heat loss, which is controlled by the absorber geometry and inlet water temperature. Hence, this study aims to improve the useful heat absorption and reduce heat loss in FPSWH by incorporating an additional inlet on the modified absorber. The inlet sections at the top and bottom of the absorber allow low-temperature water to enter, while the baffles guide the flow in a serpentine pattern. Finally, the heated water exits through a common outlet at the center of the absorber. The combination of low inlet water temperature and an enhanced fluid flow path improves heat absorption efficiency. A real-time experimental test result of this study shows that the absorber temperature is reduced through improved temperature distribution, lowering heat loss by 3.8–4.2% compared to a single inlet absorber. The average heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number are 451 W/m2K and 17, respectively, representing increases of 15.3% and 15.4% over the single inlet absorber. Furthermore, energy and exergy efficiencies of 87% and 7.3% are achieved, which are 18.2% and 23.7% higher than those of the single inlet absorber, respectively. The economic and environmental analysis indicates that the higher annual useful energy (13.2–25%) of the dual inlet absorber leads to a shorter payback time and greater CO2 emission mitigation compared to the single inlet absorber.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01361-zSolar energyDual-inletsSerpentine flowEconomic analysisCO2 emission mitigation |
| spellingShingle | Elumalai Vengadesan K. Gnanasekaran Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber Discover Sustainability Solar energy Dual-inlets Serpentine flow Economic analysis CO2 emission mitigation |
| title | Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber |
| title_full | Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber |
| title_fullStr | Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber |
| title_short | Comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual-inlet modified absorber |
| title_sort | comprehensive performance analysis of a flat plate solar water heating system featuring a dual inlet modified absorber |
| topic | Solar energy Dual-inlets Serpentine flow Economic analysis CO2 emission mitigation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01361-z |
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