A solar air collector (SAC) is a main device of a solar-thermal air system, which can absorb solar radiation and transfer the absorbed thermal energy to the air.
A simple solar air collector consists of an absorber material, sometimes having a selective surface, to capture radiation from the sun and transfers this thermal energy to air via conduction heat transfer.
A solar air collector (SAC) is a main device of a solar-thermal air system, which can absorb solar radiation and transfer the absorbed thermal energy to the air. This paper presents a systematic review of three basic types of SAC, namely, the flat-plate SAC (FPSAC), the evacuated tube SAC (EVTSAC), and the concentrated SAC.
Why are solar air collectors a good choice for solar energy applications?
The success of the solar energy applications is closely related to the performance of the collectors which convert it. For the collectors whose caloporting fluid is water; thermal transfer is made suitably because water is a good conductor of heat. However, for solar air collectors, heat transfer is low.
Can solar air collectors improve heat transfer technologies?
In particular, the enhanced heat transfer technologies by using a highly efficient heat transfer component (heat pipe, etc.) have been reported. Based on the analysis of the existing solar air collectors studies, this study provides a perspective for researchers to further and better study SAC technologies. The main conclusions can be drawn as:
required for heating. Solar thermal air collectors are used to preheat the fresh air required for heating, drying, or to maintain a minimum temperature during winter. Unlike water collectors, the air collectors have the advantage that there is no risk of freezing and also, these systems have a lower environmental impact .
Do air solar collectors use thermal energy storage materials?
Also, we can observe a lack of studies about coupling the air solar collectors with thermal energy storage materials, which are used mainly in Trombe walls, but no study was found regarding the implementation of thermal energy storage (sensible or latent heat storage/phase changing materials) in transpired solar collectors.