Performance characteristics curves of the double-pass solar collector with porous media

This paper presents the thermal performance characteristics curves of the double-pass solar collector with and without porous media in the second channel. The performance parameters presented by the FRUL, FR(τα) values and the collector time constant. The double-pass solar collector has a width of 120 cm and a length of 240 cm. Both the upper and lower channels can be varied from a minimum depth of 3.5 cm to a maximum depth 10. 5 cm. Steel wool is introduced in the second channel as the porous media. The performance testing has been conducted indoor using a solar simulator made from 45 halogen lamps suspended on the top of the collector. Heaters are used to heat the incoming air into the collector. The mass flow rate are varied and performance curves and parameters are obtained. (Author)