Research Article

Study on Effect of Number of Transparent Covers and Refractive Index on Performance of Solar Water Heater

Table 1

Specification of flat plate collector.

Description Specification

Collector dimension (Length × Width)1.6 m × 1.1 m
Collector type Flat plate
Absorber dimension (Length × Width)1.5 m × 1.0 m
Plate to cover spacing2.5 cm
Spacing between covers 2.5 cm
Thermal conductivity of plate 35 W/m-°C
Plate thickness 2 mm
Cover thickness2 mm
Plate absorptivity/emissivity 0.95
Outer diameter of lateral tube 18 mm
Inner diameter of lateral tube 14 mm
Tube center to center distance 12 cm
Glass cover absorptivity/emissivity0.88
K0.0524 per plate
Adhesive resistance Negligible
Fluid to tube heat transfer coefficient 205 W/m2-°C
Water flow rate70 kg/hr
Inlet water temperature60°C
Ambient temperature 25°C
Wind speed3.1 m/s
Back insulation thickness 5 cm
Insulation thermal conductivity 0.04 W/m-°C
Side loss coefficient 10 percent of bottom loss
Collector tilt Latitude (12.916)
Surface Azimuth angle
Date January 21st
For January 21st , , value610 W/m2, 0.00, 0.242
Location of flat plate collector VIT University (12.96°N, 79.15°E)